An Orpington lad has won his category at this year’s World Sprint Duathlon Championships and is dreaming of Olympic stardom.

Ben Cockburn, 22, ran and peddled his way to glory this month in Pontevedra, Spain, in the 20-24 age bracket.

The world champion has no financial backing and trains before and after his 9-5 job, where he helps out at his dad’s building firm.

The family hopes his success will spark sponsorship so the athlete can dedicate more time to competitive sport and reach the elite level.

Dad Jeff Cockburn, 60, who is also chairman of Orpington Football Club, said: “I’m immensely proud – he’s worked so hard to get to this point.

“We support him where we can but it’d be great if he could be backed to train full-time.

“He wants to get in the Olympics – that’s the aim.”

Ben took part in the sprint duathlon on Sunday June 1 and won by 12 seconds with a time of 58m 45s.