Iulian Serban has died aged 35 ©ICF

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has expressed sadness over the death of three-time world champion Iulian Serban.

The Romanian won three K1 LTA world titles between 2010 and 2012, before adding silver medals in 2013 and 2014.

Serban also competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, placing fourth in the men's KL3 final.

That lead to Serban receiving an award from the Romanian Canoe Kayak Federation to mark him becoming the nation's first Paralympic male paddler.

Serban was 35 when he passed away.

In 2006, having been participating in sprint canoe races for several years, Serban suffered catastrophic injuries after falling under a train and had to have a leg amputated.

Serban underwent 20 operations in all to treat leg, head and abdominal injuries.

After returning to the water, Serban won K1 LTA world titles in Poznan in 2010, Szeged in 2011 and Poznan again in 2012.

World silver medals were won in Duisburg in 2013 and Moscow a year later.