O’Hara achieved her task of posting a score close to 1,000 points on the last run of the women’s event at the White Water Park.

It came after Japan’s Hitomi Takaku had moved into the lead with her final run.

"I knew after Hitomi’s last ride that it was going to be close and then she took the lead and I thought 'okay, game on'," O’Hara said.

"Then I started and it was falling to pieces, and I thought 'oh no, here we go'.

"I just had to totally reset and I knew if I got three or four of my main tricks and my mystery it would be game on.

"I’m just so happy, all day I haven’t been able to hit a 1,000, and then I did it."

Victory secured O’Hara her ninth world title overall.

"This one is probably one of the hardest," she added.

"Normally about 2,000 points is what we’re aiming for, but this venue is so challenging, unbelievably hard.

"I wanted it and I’m so happy that I’ve got it."

Rounding out the podium was the United States’ Anna Bruno.

In the men’s competition, 50-year-old American Clay Wright claimed his third squirt world title, exactly 20 years after he won his first.

His performance included a high-scoring "mystery" move, which saw him disappear under the water for more than 20 seconds.

"I just really wanted to make squirt boating look cool," Wright said.

"My highest scoring run was good.

"I’m psyched to win for sure, but sticking that mystery move on the end, that was everything.

"I’d be happy just to get that in front of this crowd.

"I’m stoked."

Alex Edwards finished second, while fellow Briton David Rogers came third.

Action in San Juan is due to continue tomorrow with preliminaries in the men’s and women’s kayak junior events.