Competition began at the Sydney International Regatta Centre with heats proving crucial in determining Olympic berths.

Benjamin Manning ensured Australia of a quota place for the men’s C1 1000 metres, as he dominated his heat.

Manning completed the event in a time of 4min 13.42sec to earn the spot, with rivals from Samoa and the Cook Islands left adrift.

Australia finished the day with a full quota of places for Tokyo 2020, following success in women’s canoeing and kayaking competitions.

Cat McArthur and Brianna Massie clinched the berth for the women’s K2 500m event.

The duo completed the event in a time of 1:46.24.

New Zealand’s Alicia Hoskin and Danielle Watson missed out on the quota by ending in 1:48.88, while the Cook Islands’ Jade and Liliana Tierney finished in 2:06.14.

"We are really stoked to get another two spots for Australia and to be a part of it," McArthur said.

"It’s not any names on seats yet but it is exciting to be contributing to the bigger picture, which is really quite heart-warming.

"This was a bit of a redemption race for us after we didn’t have the race we wanted at worlds last year and we got to prove that we are deserving as senior paddlers.

"We proved that we can do this for Australia, for our country."

Bernadette Wallace and Josephine Bulmer completed a fine opening day of the event for Australia after earning the Olympic quota place in the women’s C2 500m event.

Wallace Bulmer completed the race in a time of 2:11.13 to secure the place, with New Zealand’s Chloe Jenkin and Em Harrison finishing adrift of the local paddlers.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow, with the Championships set to draw to a close on Sunday (February 16).