B.C.'s Robert Gagno wins world pinball championship

A B.C. man has just been crowned the world's best pinball player.

Burnaby'sRobert Gagnoplacedfirst at the Professional & Amateur Pinball Association (PAPA) World Championships in Pittsburgh.

The 27-year old has autism but it didn't stop him from beating out the top players in the world.

"I couldn't believe I'vedone this," said Gagno about the moment he realized he was victorious. "I just won the most beautiful trophy in pinball."

It's a victoryhe's dreamed of since he started playing pinball competitively in 2008, explainedhis father MaurizioGagno.

Currently, there are more than 40,000 registered competitive pinball players worldwide, according to the International Flipper PinballAssociation (IFPA).

"When he actually won, I had tears coming down my face. I was very emotional, very happy," said Maurizio Gagno.

On average, Gagnosaid he practices abouttwo to three hours per week, not including several weekly tournaments he attends. Prior this the world championship, he practiced even more.

"Some people might think his autism gives him an advantage over the game but intruth, I think it's really hard work," saidMaurizioGagno.

In addition to the "beautiful"trophy, RobertGagnois looking forward toone other thing:"The excited feeling of getting my name up on the rafters."

With thewin, a banner with his name will behung up inthe pinball association's headquartersin Pittsburgh, just like the hockey legends he admires.

Robert Gagnohas been one of Canada's top-ranked players for the past fiveyears and is now ranked sixth overall in the world based on his tournament record with the IFPA.

His father said the closest Robert had previously come closeto winning the world championship was fourth place.