The 25-year-old Londoner, formerly a rugby player with the Saracens youth development squad before being paralysed in a serious fall in 2005, picked up the third world title of his career as he claimed victory in a stunning time of 5min 19.36sec.

Andrii Kryvchun of the Ukraine claimed silver in 5:32.67 while Daniel McBride of New Zealand picked up bronze in 5:33.39.

"It feels fantastic", said Aggar, who led for all bar the first 100 metres.

"All the hard work in training and in the gym has paid off.

"I've really enjoyed the competition."

Aggar will now be turning his attention to the London 2012 Paralympic rowing event at Eton Dorney where he will be the overwhelming favourite to defend the title he won inBeijing  two years ago.

He said: "I love rowing - I'm passionate about the sport."

Aggar's victory was followed by silver for the British mixed adaptive coxed four of Kate Jones, Ryan Chamberlain, James Roe and Kelsie Gibson.

The quartet, coxed by Rhiannon Jones, put in a magnificent performance that saw them narrowly lead until the dying 100m when Canada surged to claim a narrow victory in 3:36.53.

Britain picked up second in 3:37.08 while Germany claimed the bronze in 3:39.65.

"It was a good race but it was also a bit of a blur," said Roe, the only survivor of last year's World Championships quartet."

Kate Jones added: "I wasn't sure where we had finished as we crossed the line.

"They were better than us on the day and it was a good race."

Meanwhile Helene Raynsford was withdrawn from the women's single scull final because of breathing problems.

The 30-year-old reigning women's Paralympic champion is back competing at the highest level after briefly retiring earlier this year because of a heart condition and a recurrence of the problem meant she was not fit to take part in New Zealand.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2010: Awesome Aggar maintains unbeaten international record
December 2009: Aggar already dreaming of glory at London 2012