Karlström had won the men’s 20 kilometre race last year in the Australian city, with the competition doubling as the Oceania Championships.

He trailed Australia’s Olympic bronze medallist Dane Bird-Smith during the early stages before starting to close in during the second-half of the race.

Karlström eventually edged past the home favourite and stayed clear to take victory in a time of 1 hour, 20min 05sec.

He was followed across the line by Bird-Smith, the runner-up in 1:20:52.

The effort saw Bird-Smith secure the Oceania and Australian titles.

The podium in the IAAF competition was completed by Colombia’s Eider Arevalo, with the 2017 world champion crossing the line in 1:21:36.

The silver and bronze medals in the Oceania Championships was secured by Australia’s Rhydian Cowley and New Zealand’s Quentin Rew.

There was Colombian success in the women’s IAAF Race Walking Challenge event, as Sandra Lorena Arenas emerged as the winner.

She pulled clear of her rivals to celebrate the gold medal in a time of 1:28:49.

Home favourite Katie Hayward finished in second place in 1:29:25, with the result giving her the Oceania and Australian titles.

Jemima Montag, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, finished third in 1:30:51.

She claimed the silver medal in the Oceania and Australian Championships, with Claire Tallent taking the bronze,