Markus Swoboda, pictured racing at Rio 2016, was a winner today ©Getty Images

Serbia, Austria, Japan and Canada all claimed gold medals on the opening day of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Para-canoe World Cup in Belgrade.

Reigning world champion Markus Swoboda was among the winners on the Ada Ciganlija Regatta Course in the Serbian capital. 

He crossed first in a time of 42.656sec in the KL2 200 metres class.

Uzbekistan rival Azizbek Abdulkhabibo finished second in 43.088 while Vuk Radovanovic of Serbia managed 45.532 for third.

But there was home success in the KL3 class 200m as Arsen Arsenovic romped to victory in 43.292.

Arsen Arsenovic was among the winners on home water today ©CanoeKayak Serbia
Arsen Arsenovic was among the winners on home water today ©CanoeKayak Serbia

Thailand's Suradech Namtaothong took the silver medal in 45.244 while Zacharie Lauziere-Fitzgerald managed 45.616 for Canadian bronze.

There was only one entrant in the two women's finals held today.

Monika Seryu of Japan won the KL1 200m in 1:05.264.

Canada's Erica Scarff then claimed KL3 honours over the same distance in 54.032.