Australian women claim three golds at World Paratriathlon Event

Australia were the dominant nation at the World Paratriathlon Event in Yokohama ©Getty Images

Australia’s women were in dominant form as they claimed three gold medals at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Paratriathlon Event in Yokohama, Japan.

Kate Doughty powered to a commanding win in the PT4 category, clocking an impressive time of 1 hour 14min 35sec, more than three minutes quicker than nearest challenger, Russia's Anna Bychkova.

Team-mate Katie Kelly then built on that success as she sealed a comfortable victory in the PT5 classification, finishing in a time of 1:08:29.

Her time proved too strong for the rest of the field with second-placed, Japan's Atsuko Yamada, 10 minutes adrift in 1:19:19.

The third Australian gold of the day was clinched in the PT1 by Emily Tapp, who clocked 1:24:16.

It was not just the Australian team who looked in good form, however, as the United States managed to top the podium in two events on their way to clinching four medals, including one silver and one bronze.

American champion Mark Barr won the men’s PT2 classification race in a storming time of 1:10:54, which was enough for him to finish ahead of closest competitor, Morocco's Mohamed Lahna, who crossed the line in 1:15:24.

American Mark Barr claimed victory in the men's PT2 race in Yokohama ©Getty Images

“It was a lot of fun, a little wet but we knew that coming in, so I was prepared mentally and executed well regardless of the rain,” Barr said.

“Maximum points at this race was the goal coming in and moving forward, we will see where the world rankings are after this.”

Krige Schabort also managed to reign supreme in his PT1 race as he clocked a commanding 1:01:50 to take the title ahead of Frenchman Alexandre Paviza, 10 minutes off the pace in second.

The other two American medals came thanks to Melissa Stockwell, who posted 1:29:58 on her way to silver in the women’s PT2 competition, and Patricia Collins snuck onto the podium by finishing in 1:23.46 in the PT4 event.

Elsewhere, Russia’s men were also in solid form, claiming two men’s gold medals as Denis Kungurtcev surged to victory in the men’s PT3 in 1:07:34, while compatriot Alexander Yalchik won the PT4 event in 1:02:26.

Poland’s Lukasz Wietecki took the men’s PT5 honours by clocking 1:05.19 in one of the closer races of the day, and there was also success for the home nation as Yukako Hata claimed victory in the women’s PT2 race in 1:28:57.

The competition in Yokohama was crucial for the triathletes in attendance as it gave them the chance to earn vital qualification points for September's ITU World Paratriathlon Grand Final in Chicago.

The next World Paratriathlon Event is due place in London on May 30.