Ukraine and Russia won on the opening day of the ICF Para World Cup ©ICF

Ukraine and Russia each secured gold medals on the opening day of the Para-canoe World Cup season in Szeged today.

Natalia Lagutenko first triumphed in the VL2 women's 200 metres final on the Hungarian lake after holding off Russian rival Nadezda Andreeva.

The Ukrainian triumphed by a slender margin of 0.80 seconds in 1min 3.244sec.

Veronica Silvia Biglia of Italy edged out home hope Julianna Tóth to secure bronze in 1:11.036.

Russia then secured a podium-topping position of their own in the VL3 200m final.

Larisa Volik was, though, the only entrant as she paddled to victory in 58.213.

Ivo Kilian, bottom, pictured competing at the Paralympic Games, was among the semi-final winners today ©Getty Images
Ivo Kilian, bottom, pictured competing at the Paralympic Games, was among the semi-final winners today ©Getty Images

Neither the VL2 or VL3 events are currently on the Paralympic programme.

Competition also began today in the Paralympic categories which made their debut at last year's Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Ivo Kilian of Germany was the fastest in the men's KL2 200m semi-final for athletes with partial trunk and leg function.

Kilian clocked 45.702 to beat András Rozbora of Hungary, who crossed in 47.579.

Arsen Arsenovic of Serbia was the fastest qualifier in the KL3 division, for those with full trunk and partial leg function, in a time of 42.806.