Representing the University of Zagreb, the 2014 European champion proved too strong for the opposition at the Bojan Stranic Volleyball Hall in Croatia's capital.

Lenard took an oath on behalf of all athletes at last night’s Opening Ceremony of the EUG. 

Asked if she was more nervous yesterday or today, she said: "I didn’t know until yesterday that I would be taking the oath of the athletes, so I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it.

"I was honoured they chose me.  

"However, I was more nervous during today’s competition because my friends from high school and the University of Applied Health Sciences came to cheer for me. 

"I wanted to win for them."

In the men’s under 60kg kumite category, Slovakia’s Richard Dobrotka triumphed having entered as a student of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. 

"I’m overjoyed because this is my first important medal after a lot of competitions," he said.

"All of my friends are happy for me, but I think my father is the happiest. 

"He was also a karateist and he taught me to love the sport when I was a child.

"Now I’m continuing what I would love to become a family tradition."

Around 5,000 athletes from 300 universities are competing in the EUG in Rijeka and Zagreb, where action is due to continue tomorrow.