WATCH: Talented Wolverhampton sculptor Masters athletics

Donald Brown, from Parkfields, returned from the competition in Torun, Poland with a bronze, silver and gold medal.

Donald, aged 52, claimed gold in the 60m hurdles, silver in the 4 x 200m relay and bronze in the 60m sprint event at the championships, for athletes over the age of 35.

His performance in the 60m hurdles, which saw him complete the challenge in 8.66 seconds before punching the air with delight, was a personal best and sees him ranked as the fastest in the world in his age category, of 50-54, this year.

He said: "It was an incredible experience and I am very proud of my achievements.

"I was confident ahead of the tournament but I wasn't the favourite in any of the categories, even the hurdles, which I won my gold medal in.

"What makes it even sweeter is I was just coming back from injury and so my preparation hadn't been ideal."

Donald grew up in Wolverhampton, firstly educated at Parkfields High School before going to the University of Wolverhampton to study sculpture making.

He has been a member of both Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and the Royal Sutton Coldfield Athletics Club.

In 1990, aged 27, he left Wolverhampton to live in Manchester.

He left behind his athletics coach, Joseph Caines, a former international athlete and father of Daniel Caines, 2004 Indoor World 400 Metre Champion.

Donald said: "Joseph was a great coach and always pushed me to improve myself.

"When I moved to Manchester, I am afraid to say that my athletics career was put on the back seat.

"I continued to train and stay fit but as far as competitive matches went, I didn't really get involved."

Donald made an even bigger move after seven years in Manchester, when he packed up and moved to the United States.

It was here that his two main passions, sculpting and athletics, came together.

While forging a successful career as a sculptor, Donald was introduced to the concept of the Masters Championships.

He said: "Again, my training and athletics took a back seat for a long time while I was in America.

"It was a fantastic place to live and my career as a sculptor really took off, which is why I moved out there in the first place.

"When somebody suggested that I look at getting back into training and consider entering the Masters, I had to think long and hard about how much time I could dedicate to athletics."

It took until 2006 for Donald to make his decision, but after just a few weeks training, he entered the USA Masters Indoor Heptathlon Championships, winning gold to become the US champion.

He said: "That really gave me my desire back.

"I was in my 40s and winning gave me a major confidence boost when it would have been easy to give up."

Shortly after, he won his second US title, claiming gold in the USA Masters Pentathlon Championships, before coming back to Wolverhampton, where he reunited with his former coach.

Donald's winning streak continued, with victorious run outs in various national Decathlon and Pentathlon tournaments.

However, at age 45, he decided to change his speciality event and focus on sprinting and hurdles.

He said: "I just realised that training for five separate events for the pentathlon will only get you as many medals as dedicating yourself to sprinting or hurdling.

"Those events take less time from you and you can end up with the same reward.

"Obviously, I didn't just switch for that reason, I was also thinking of the longevity of my career and how I could best extend it."

Unsurpisingly, Donald took to sprinting and hurdling with ease and was soon in the winning habit, with his medals in Poland the latest proof that when it comes to athletics, he is a natural.

He believes that an unswerving belief in the power of sport is behind his success and said: "There have been times when my training has taken a back seat to other life commitments but I have always believed people can learn a lot from sport, I certainly have.

"It is a lifestyle choice.

"Being active in sport gives you a greater understanding of what lies beneath competition.

"Athletes are always striving to improve themselves and live a better life for the good of their sporting interests."

Donald's work as a sculptor is also influenced by sport.

His organisation The Global Gallery incorporates the visual arts, the performing arts and sport to address issues that include, building confidence and self-esteem, striving for excellence and creating positive role models.

He said: "I believe peace can be found through sport and what we learn from sport.

"I have dedicated my life to it and it hasn't steered me wrong."