Gold medal in the morning then back to work: Rotorua squash player wins at Masters Games

Paul Bedford (right) with fellow World Masters Games competitior and Geyser City Squash Club Bernie Dawson. Photo/Supplied

Paul Bedford won a gold medal at the World Masters Games in Auckland - and was back at work in Rotorua that afternoon.

Rotorua's Bedford, 45, took home the top prize in the Men's Open 45 plus age category.

"It was great, the tournament was well organised."

There was no rest for Bedford, heading straight back to Rotorua after the final and medal ceremony.

"I had a 10am final on Wednesday and, as I run my own business, was back at work by 3pm."

It was Bedford's second World Masters Games, having competed in 2009 in Sydney.

He said the fact the games were in New Zealand was the drawcard he needed to compete.

"I haven't played much in the past three years, I started my training around Christmas... my next target is the New Zealand Masters Games."

Bedford said there were five rounds in the competition, where he faced either New Zealanders or Australians.

"I was seeded second in the tournament. They were all hard games, [the win] was pretty much on the day."

He said he had never before come up against Kiwi Troy Dunn, who he faced in the final - a rare occurrence in the small New Zealand squash world.

Bedford has been a member of the Geyser City Squash Club for four years, having played for Waikite Valley before that.

Fellow Geyser City Squash Club member Bernie Dawson also competed in the 60-plus squash and tennis competitions.

Dawson was there to witness Bedford's win.

"Hell yeah, I was Paul's main supporter after Jo [Paul's wife]."

He said Bedford played extremely well in the final.

"It was superb, really superb...Paul was on top of his game. It was a fantastic game by Paul."

Dawson is still competing in Auckland, talking to the Rotorua Daily Post on his way to a doubles tennis match.

"It's been really tough but it's been great."

The 2017 World Masters Games finishes on Sunday. More than 100 athletes from Rotorua have taken part.