Home favourite Romina Biagioli claimed the first gold medal of the 2019 South American Beach Games by winning the women’s sprint triathlon event in the Argentinean city of Rosario ©Rosario 2019

Home favourite Romina Biagioli claimed the first gold medal of the 2019 South American Beach Games by winning the women's sprint triathlon event in the Argentinean city of Rosario.

Biagioli posted a time of 1 hour 3min 49sec to triumph by a margin of 24 seconds over runner-up Lina Maria Raga of Colombia.

The bronze medal went to Chile's Macarena Salazar in 1:04:56.

"I'm happy, I loved the circuit," Biagioli said.

"I expected gold, I was working for it."

In the equivalent men's event, Chile's Diego Moya came out on top in 56:11.

He was followed by two Argentines with Luciano Taccone second in 56:18 and Facundo Medard third in 56:29.

Action in Rosario is due to continue tomorrow.

Medals are scheduled to be won in canoeing.

Argentina is playing host to the South American Beach Games for the first time.