World champion Ed McKeever (pictured) took gold after a titanic struggle with Russia's Victor Zavolskiy in the K1 200 metres.

Britain's next medallist was Jessica Walker, who came home in third place in the K4 500m, won by Portugal's Teresa Portela, and she was followed by Jon Schofield and Liam Heath in the men's K2 200m as they were beaten by France.

They finished second to add another silver to the British medal haul, and were followed by another bronze after a superb display by Lani Belcher and Angela Hannah in the K2 500m as Belarus claimed gold and Austria silver.

"It's great we are really chuffed, it was a really tough race and we didn't get a great start so had to fight hard to get up there, then we just hung in to the finish," said Belcher.

Rachel Cawthorn also took bronze in the women's K1 500 metre in a race won by Australia's Alania Nicholls, whilst in the K4 500m the quartet of Abigail Edmonds, Hayleigh Mason, Louisa Sawer and Walker took silver just behind Belarus.

Cawthorn said: "I'm in shock and speechless, when I looked over as I crossed the finish line it was a surprise to see I was third following such a difficult winter."

Brendan Purcell, the head coach of Britain's team, said: "It's unreal, a medal in each of the women's Olympic events, the girls have set a standard as a squad and are showing incredible fighting and racing spirit.

"There was really exciting racing for the men's 200m; champions find a way to win when maybe they might get beaten which is what Ed did out there today.

"Jon and Liam were really happy with their race, but there are some areas where they can improve which is really positive when you are going forward to a European and World Championship."

The next World Cup event will be in Duisberg, Germany, next week, with the European and World Championships taking place in Serbia in June and Hungary in August respectively.

The performance of the British squad in the Czech Republic reinforces their status as one of the favourites in the canoe discipline at next year's Olympic Games in London.

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