Kirkman wins mountainboard event

Kirkman in action at the World Freestyle Championships

Cornish mountainboard star Tom Kirkman has been crowned the 2009 World Freestyle Champion.

Kirkman pulled off a string of flawless tricks, including back flips and 720 rotations, to take the title at the Gloucestershire event.

The 21-year-old's victory means that he is now ranked as the the world's number one mountainboarder.

Second place went to Malvern's Tom Read, whilst Joe Dickson from Hereford finished in third.

Kirkman, who lives in Calstock, spent much of the past year out of the sport because of an ankle injury.

He told BBC Radio Cornwall: "It's frustrating watching all of your friends ride and having the fun that you want to be having with them."

And now with the 2009 World Championship title under his belt, Kirkman is back to his best.

"It's pretty good, I had the title a few times before, but then I didn't compete because I had a run of injuries.

"So it's nice to be back on the board and nice to be competing in this competition," he added.