A coalman from York has become world champion in what must be one of the most unusual sports in existence.

Daniel Wright, of New Earswick, who works for the family coal business, JH Wright and Son, has beaten 35 other hopefuls to first place in the World Coal Carrying Championships at Gawthorpe, West Yorkshire.

Daniel, 23, for whom carrying sacks of coal is all in a day's work, entered the competition last year and came sixth despite having done no specific training.

But this year he did lots of hill runs with an eight stone sack of coal on his back to build up his legs for the big event.

He said: "I had to run 1,200 metres with eight stones on my back up a hill and I did it in four minutes 21 seconds.

"It all happened really quickly. A truck pulls out into the middle of the road and everyone's grabbing for a sack and then you're off.

"I'd like to thank all the people who came up to watch me. There were about 35 family and friends."

Daniel, who also boxes and plays rugby for Heworth, said he would be sharing part of his prize, £50 worth of beer vouchers, with his team of dedicated supporters at a later date.

He also won £175 and a trophy. But what about his plans for next year?

"I'll just have a rest for now and see how it goes. It takes a lot of training," he said.

Updated: 08:37 Tuesday, April 17, 2001