DUNCAN Gwilliam made waves at the 2015 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Belgium by winning two gold medals.

It was a packed boat park in Hazewinkel, where nearly 3,500 athletes participated in the 1,000 metre racing, and saw the Stourport Boat Club member match the best in the world.

In his first gold win, racing side-by-side in the Master E Single Sculls category, Gwilliam found himself down by half a boat length against a sculler from Spain with 250m to go after leaving the rest of the field behind.

The final sprint resulted in a photo finish with Gwilliam winning by just .07 of a second.

Rowing into a strong headwind and difficult water conditions, the final day of competition saw Gwilliam race Master D Single Sculls against Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain,Ireland and Russia.

Up against very strong opposition, the Wyre Forest rower out classed the entire field and led from start to finish winning by four seconds.

The current British Masters Champion and Henley Masters Champion of 2014 commented: “I’m over the moon to be bringing two World Championship medals back to Stourport.

“There has been some tough opposition here in Belgium and it’s a great result for me to get two golds.”

A total of 49 countries had participated, the biggest entries coming from Germany, the United States and Australia had come the distance with 65 rowers.

There were also competitors from Iran, Israel, Ireland and Italy. Host country Belgium entered 97 rowershad 97 rowers entered.

Gwilliam will now travel to Lake Bagsvaerd just outside Copenhagen, to defend his World Rowing Master title in 2016 and then onto Nathan Benderson Park in Florida in 2017.

Anyone who wants more information about joining Stourport Boat Club can go to www.stourportbc.co.uk