HAMPSHIRE athlete Brian Grierson has battled through the effects of prostate cancer to qualify for the Sprint Triathlon World Championships – at the age of 75.

The Rownhams-based star earned a place in this year’s prestigious event, in Chicago, after finishing third in the men’s 75-79 age group at the British Championships.

That was his first major competition since undergoing surgery last September in a bid to keep the cancer under control.

“I hope it gives encouragement to people who are suffering with the same thing to try to keep going and carry on your life as normal,” said Grierson, who was diagnosed in 2002.

Doctors initially removed his prostate, which kept the disease in check for a number of years, but Grierson has since undergone a course of radiotherapy, while last year’s surgery saw 12 lymph nodes removed from his stomach in a bid to stop the cancer spreading.

He has been placed on hormone therapy since then, and says he is likely to be treated with medication from now on.

Last year’s operation meant 2014 was largely written off, but Grierson has returned to action in style this season.

His bronze medal at the British Triathlon Championships, in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, saw him produce a year’s personal best in the 5k run – which he said was helped by regularly competing in the ‘parkrun’ events in Hampshire – while he also performed well in the 750m river swim and 24k bike ride.

“I was quite emotional really, because of all the problems I have had, and the fact I wasn’t very far behind the two guys who were first and second in my age group,” he said.

Grierson is unsure whether or not he will be able to take up his place in Chicago, this September, for the 75-79 age group category.

“Whether I will go or not depends on my health really,” he said.