Norfolk triathletes proved they were among the best in the world when they competed at the World Triathlon Championships in London.

Three members of Norwich-based triathlon club Tri-Anglia have returned from the Hyde Park event with medals around their necks.

Matt Ellis, from Norwich, won gold in the 35-39 age category in the Olympic distance race on Sunday, managing to hold off a Mexican Olympian and club-mate Iain Robertson who took bronze.

His victory came just two days after he helped visually-impaired triathlete Iain Dawson, also a member of Tri-Anglia, win a bronze medal in the paratriathlon on Friday. The trio were among 17 members of Tri-Anglia and two from Lowestoft's Rock Estate who competed at the championships.

Over five days, competitors from 85 nations took part in either an aquathlon – swim and run – sprint or the Olympic distance triathlon. Cold conditions for Sunday's Olympic distance race meant the traditionally 1,500m swim was cut to 750m.

Ellis, who lives in Thorpe Hamlet, said: 'I have spent much of the year managing injuries picked up last season and despite a lot of frustration not being able to train or race as much as I would have initially liked, I cannot be anything but delighted – and a little shocked – to win gold.

'I was amazed at the level of support the athletes had in London and feel very proud that, yet again, the capital put on a great show. It was great to also share the podium with 2004 Olympic triathlete Eligio Cervantes Islas (who won silver) and with a local club-mate, Iain Robertson who pushed me all the way.'

On Friday, Dawson and Ellis were fifth out of the water before they tackled the wet and slippery 20km bike course on a tandem and a 5km run to take a Tri-6b third.

Dawson, from New Buckenham, said: 'It was great racing on home soil in London even if the weather wasn't brilliant.'