Konietzko received 94 votes to Arkhipov's six, with 100 ballots cast in the election.

Konietzko will step up from his role of ICF vice-president, having held the position since 2016.

The former German Canoe Federation President thanked outgoing President José Perurena, who he praised for his leadership of the organisation.

“I think we have a strong team in place and I am happy to be a team player with you, we can only achieve our goals as a team,” Konietzko said, who turned 58 today.

“Thank you for your trust.

“This election makes me humble and gives me motivation to fulfil your expectations.

“I would like to thank our President for handing over to me a solidly run, healthy and in the Olympic Movement well-positioned federation.

“You did such an outstanding job, not only the last 13 years as President, but in your entire career in our federation.

“You leave a great legacy and your name will also be associated with one of the most successful periods of our federation.”

“We must not rest on our laurels and be prepared to look forward and be prepared to question and discuss many things in the interest of our successful future.

"We do not need a revolution to make our federation fit for the future, we need an evolution.”

In his election manifesto, Konietzko vowed to focus on the principles of innovation and change, cooperation, transparency, involvement and sustainability.

The manifesto said the organisation must attract younger fans through digital opportunities, as well as growing the sport in Asia, the Americas and Africa.

In a speech to the ICF Congress, Konietzko repeated his desire to appoint three regional managers to help continents to assist their National Federations, as well as making the development programme more sustainable.

Konietzko said the organisation's immediate priority was to finalise a qualification system for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The newly elected President said he would propose discussions to develop an upcoming strategic plan, with working groups set to be established.

Governance, broadcast, sustainability, safeguarding and well-being strategies are among the items expected to be discussed, with Konietzko stressing the need to align to the International Olympic Committee's Agenda 2020+5 roadmap.

Konietzko said he hoped discussions on a fit for the future strategic roadmap can be concluded by the ICF's Congress next year.

The Congress also approved naming Perurena as the organisation's Honorary President.

The Spanish official has served as ICF President for the past 13 years.

Three ICF vice-presidents were elected at the Congress, with Argentina’s Cecilia Farias taking one position after being the sole female candidate.

China’s Aijie Liu and Spain’s Lluis Rabaneda Caselles were also elected with 61 and 55 votes respectively, with Portugal’s Mario Santos missing out on 41.

Italy’s Luciano Buonfiglio was named ICF treasurer, with Jean-Michel Prono and Japan’s Toshi Furuya leading the Canoe Slalom and Canoe Sprint Commissions respectively.

Germany’s Manuela Gawehn was elected to lead the Whitewater Commission, while the Netherlands’ Ruud Heijselaar and Britain’s Greg Smale lead the Canoe Marathon and Canoe Polo bodies.

Tim Brabants, who works for Canoe Racing New Zealand, will chair the ICF Medical and Anti-Doping Commission.

Britain’s Terry Best and South Africa’s Colin Simpkins were named Canoe Freestyle and Canoe Ocean Racing Commission chairs, while Canada’s John Edwards will lead the Para-Canoe body.

Special awards were presented at the Congress to Germany’s Juergen Konrad and Australia’s Helen Brownlee for their work in the sport, with posthumous award given to Denmark’s Jorn Cronberg.