YOU'RE never too old to become a World Champion -- as Billy Hindle can prove.

At 61, the grandfather of nine came out of retirement to take part in the World Masters Judo Championships in Canada -- and celebrated a gold medal success.

Billy, a senior coach at Bacup Judo Club, took up the sport late, aged 31, and retired from competition in 1988 after winning a silver medal in the British Masters.

But, after hitting 60, he felt the bug bite again and decided to come out of retirement when he heard about the championships in Novia Scotia.

This is only the second time the World Masters -- for judo competitors over 30 years of age -- have been held with more than 500 athletes travelling from North America, South America, Europe, Japan and Australia.

"They held the first one in Toronto last year and I heard about it and decided to come out of retirement and give this second one a go," said Billy, who is a 6th Dan.

"I just felt stale, I was overweight and I decided I wanted to get fit again. My family were right behind me.

"Originally there were three of us going over to compete for Great Britain but one had an operation and the other had work commitments. I'd already mentally prepared myself so I decided I would go alone." One of the first obstacles Billy had to contend with -- after the 4000 miles journey from his home in Oakwood Close, Burnley -- was losing more than six pounds so he could compete in the 73 kg weight category.

"I dieted like mad for two months before I left," said Billy. "And then when I got there they'd decided to combine the 73 and 81kg category, so I had to compete with bigger opponents anyway. I needn't have dieted!"

The next obstacle was learning he had three Japanese in his pool for the competition -- all 6th Dans -- and a Canadian 5th Dan.

"The Japanese have been long recorded as the finest judo competititors in the world," admitted Billy.

But they were to prove no match with the Brit throwing all his opponents for an ippon -- 10 point full score.

"The tournament organiser told me he had never seen a European beat three Japanese in a tournament before," laughed Billy.

And this won him the coveted gold medal, to become the World Champion at 73 and 81 kg for the 60-64 year old category.

"I feel great now," added Billy, who's now set his sights on defending the title next year.