Richard Varga dominated to win the men's race ©ITU

Four-time world champion Richard Varga produced a superb performance to secure a home crown at the European Aquathlon Championships in Bratislava.

Varga, who was born in the Slovakian capital but is based in Leeds, is considered among the strongest swimmers in triathlon, so is particularly suited to the swim-run format.

He exited first from the swim before remaining clear to win in 28min 13sec.

Fast-finishing Ukrainian Dmytro Malyar took silver in 28:36.

Mark Dévay of Hungary came third in 28:38 and also scooped the under 23 title.

Hannah Kitchen won the women's race ©ITU
Hannah Kitchen won the women's race ©ITU

Varga won world titles in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015 and came second last year behind training partner and double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee.

However, Britain did enjoy some success, as Hannah Kitchen scooped the women's title in the European Triathlon Union-organised event.

She triumphed in 32:11 after finishing seven seconds clear of Romana Gajdošová of Slovakia.

It improved upon the bronze medal Kitchen took last year.

Zsanett Bragmayer of Hungary took bronze this time around in 32:30.