MAX Whitlock wants to open his own gymnastics academy once he decides to stop competing himself.

The 21-year-old, from Basildon, recently won a silver medal in the all-around final at the World Championships in China.

But he eventually wants to help others follow in his footsteps.

“I still have my own targets and things I want to achieve, but opening my own gymnastics academy is a real, long-term target for me,” said Whitlock.

“I haven’t really thought too much about where it could be at this stage, but I would certainly like to help get more kids involved in the sport and help to train them too.”

However, Whitlock remains fully focused on achieving further success himself and is already back in training after completing his most high-profile events of 2014.

Whitlock won a gold medal on the pommel horse at the European Championships and also helped Great Britain finish second in the team event.

After that, he won three golds, a silver and a bronze at an incredibly successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before his silver medal at the World Championships.

But, despite admitting to being slightly tired by the schedule, it was an opportunity Whitlock welcomed.

“It’s been hard but it’s a big opportunity having so many big events in the same year and I’ve enjoyed it,” said Whitlock.

“It’s very tiring but I’ve enjoyed it and the results have been amazing.

“Everyone knows that the World Championships were a bit up and down for me, but they ended on a real high.

“I’m training again now but I definitely need a holiday and I’ll hopefully have one at the end of November.”

After that, Whitlock’s thoughts will be back on gymnastics and trying to close the gap on the legendary Kohei Uchimura who has now won five successive golds in the all around World Championships final, as well as the Olympics.

“I was told the other day that I’m the closest in terms of scores that anyone has ever been to Uchimura and that’s amazing because for me he’s the best gymnast there’s ever been,” said Whitlock.

“He’s incredibly consistent but I will just keep working on my own routines and improving my start scores.

“I think if you look at my scores from the Worlds then it’s clear I need to up my scores on the rings and the high bar and that’s exactly what I’ll be trying to do, among other things.”