The race featured a one kilometre swim before a five kilometres run, at the X-bionic Sphere in Samorin.

Kaiser sprung a surprise in the women’s elite race as she claimed victory in her first ever aquathlon.

Hungary’s Marta Kropko had led after the swim, coming out of the water in a time of 12min 46sec, nearly a minute in front of Kaiser.

The German produced a blistering run to pull clear of the field, with her run time of 16:42 more than a minute quicker than anyone else in the field.

Kaiser completed victory in 32:51, with Kropko taking the silver medal in 33:17.

The podium was completed by Maryna Kyryk of Ukraine in a time of 33:22.

Kropko was the top ranked junior athlete, with the top ranked under-23 athlete Margareta Bicanova of Slovakia, in fourth in the elite race in 34:04.

In the elite men’s race, Devay was the first out of the water following the one kilometre swim in a time of 11min 46sec.

Devay impressed during the transition phase of the race, and opened up a healthy lead on the rest of the field, winning in a time of 28:54.

The silver medal went to Spain’s Kevin Tarek Vinuela Gonzalez, who closed the gap during the run, but was not able to overhaul Devay and finished in a time of 29:09.

The podium was completed by Marton Kropko of Hungary, the top ranked junior athlete, in a time of 29:13.

Hungary’s Gergo Dobi was the top ranked under-23 athlete, finishing fourth in the elite race in 29:23.

Action is scheduled to continue with the Long Distance World Championship on Sunday (August 21) with athletes competing over 100km - set to consist of a two kilometre swim, 80km bike and 18km run.