Paralympic champion Veronika Vadovičová struck gold at the World Shooting Para Sport Grand Prix in Polish city Szczecin ©Getty Images

Paralympic champion Veronika Vadovičová of Slovakia claimed the R3 mixed 10 metres air rifle prone SH1 title as competition began today at the World Shooting Para Sport Grand Prix in Polish city Szczecin.

The 34-year-old registered a total of 253 points to beat nearest challenger Natascha Hiltrop of Germany by a slender margin of 0.4 at the SPORTS OBJECT venue.

Vadovičová’s compatriot Radoslav Malenovsky rounded out the podium with a score of 231.2 points.

Also tasting victory today was Ukraine's Olga Kovalchuk, who secured top honours in the P2 women's 10m air pistol SH1 event with a score of 229.9 points.

The win comes in the Rio 2016 silver medallist's first appearance of the year.

It was the first day of competition at the event ©World Shooting Para Sport/Facebook
It was the first day of competition at the event ©World Shooting Para Sport/Facebook

Sweden's Yu-Jeong Bang took silver with 227.2 points, while Kovalchuk’s fellow Ukrainian Iryna Liakhu came away with bronze with 204.8.

Action in Szczecin is due to continue tomorrow when medals will be awarded in the R2 women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 and R4 mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2.

Competition is set to conclude on Saturday (April 29).