Japan made history with two gold medals on a memorable day at the International Canoe Federation Paracanoe World Cup in Poznan, Poland.
Yuta Takagi and Monika Seryu clinched the respective men’s and women’s VL1 titles as Japan won back-to-back Paracanoe golds for the first time.
The two VL1 events featured a fantastic field of athletes with entries from Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas.
The first of Japan's gold medals was won by Takagi as he led from start to finish to become men’s VL1 champion.
After establishing an early advantage over the rest of the field, Takagi did not let slip as he clinched gold in 1:05.26.
Click here for start lists and results from Poznan
Germany’s Moritz Berthold picked up silver in 1:07.15 and India’s Yash Kumar secured bronze in 1:10.24.
“It is a historic moment for Japan,” said Takagi.
“I am very happy to be part of this history.
“It makes me want to work harder for the World Championships.”
There was a superb finish in the women’s VL1 final as Seryu edged reigning world champion Viktoryia Pistis Shablova of Italy.
Seryu took the title in 1:11.69, beating Pistis Shablova who finished in 1:12.45.
Bronze went to Chile’s Jocelyn Munoz who registered a time of 1:19.60.
“I am very happy and will never forget this feeling,” said Seryu.
“I could not see what else was happening in the race.
“I just saw the screen and then I knew that I won the race, I was so surprised.
“It’s the first time in Japanese Canoe Federation history that the men and women gold medals so it’s fantastic.”
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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