O’Brien triumphed in front of a home crowd by achieving a time of 35.223 seconds in the event at Mattamy National Cycling Centre.

The Canadian, who is making her debut appearance at the World Championships, lowered the previous world record of 35.716, which was set by Britain’s Kadeena Cox at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Cox was forced to settle for the silver medal on this occasion by finishing in 36.653, with China’s Jianping Ruan securing bronze in 38.536.

The Netherlands’ Caroline Groot won the women’s C5 500m time trial competition in a time of 36.159.

The podium was completed by France’s Marie Patouillet and Britain’s Sarah Storey, who finished in 37.547 and 38.210 respectively.

Further Dutch success came in the tandem team sprint event, with Vincent ter Schure and Larissa Klassen overcoming the challenge of Poland in the gold-medal ride.

World record holder Alfonso Cabello Llamas emerged as the winner of the men’s C5 1km time trial event by posting a time of 1min 3.180sec.

The Spanish cyclist was joined on the podium by the United States’ Christopher Murphy and France’s Dorian Foulon, who ended in 1:05.259 and 1:05.682, respectively.

Jody Cundy claimed his 12^th consecutive 1km time trial world title as the British rider won the men’s C4 event in 1:05.087.

Slovakia’s Jozef Metelka earned silver in 1:06.039, with Romania’s Carol-Eduard Novak the bronze medallist in 1:08.310.

Australia enjoyed success in individual pursuit events as David Nicholas triumphed in the men’s C3 competition, while compatriot Paige Greco won the women’s title.

China’s Qian Wangwei and Zeng Sini claimed gold medals in the women’s C1 and C2 pursuit finals.

Ewoud Vromant of Belgium topped the podium in the men’s C2 pursuit competition.

The World Championships will run until Sunday (February 2).