FORMER Dollar Academy teacher Andrew Morton is celebrating after becoming a world kayaking champion for the second time.

The 69-year-old took the gold at the ICF Canoe Marathon Masters’ World Cup in Brandenburg, Germany, earlier this month to add to his impressive collection of medals.

For Andrew, the race was his sixth championship event, having medalled each time he had competed in the past.

But the result was all the more sweet as the ex-biology teacher picked up his second gold medal, having won previously in 2006.

This time he was competing in the over 70s category, as his birthday comes before the end of the year.

Previously, Andrew told the Advertiser that moving up the age class comes with the added advantage of being the youngest, and therefore arguably the fittest, in the race.

However, he took no chances having began his arduous training schedule eight months before the race.

He said: “I’m delighted with the win; that’s my sixth medal and my second goal, so happy days.

“There were 14 racing and I dropped them all at the start. But I eased off a little and another fella caught up with me.

“We went round together for a bit, with me in second. I let him do all the work, really, and I overtook him at the end and finished in front by about half a minute.

“I came in at one hour and 42 minutes, which would’ve placed me in third in the under 60s category, so I would have medalled there again if I competed.”

Andrew edged out Czech rower Miroslav Kocum, by almost 28 seconds with Finland’s Sahi Pentti about a minute and a half behind the lead.

Unsure as to how long he will continue to compete, the Dollar man has pinpointed the masters event in Portugal in 2018 as a potential swansong.

He said: “I don’t know if I will go again; the race in Portugal is one I am looking at so I may do that.

“There’s a big commitment for the training though. It’s a lot of work.

“For this race I began training back in January. It also costs about £800-900 to self-fund the trip. It’s all worth it in the end, but it’s still a lot.

“I’m delighted with the win, though, and I’ll just see how it goes.”