Aquathlon, which features a swim between two runs, were the first world titles to be decided at the venue with Cross Triathlon set to follow tomorrow.

In the men’s race, Castro took advantage of a slip by Slovakia’s Richard Varga during the transition following the swim and was able to strike late on the second run of five kilometres to take victory in 27min 36sec.

Varga, a four-time aquathlon world champion, crossed the line in 27:40 to take second, with Ander Noain Lacamara of Spain in third in 28:16.

Lacamara’s time of 28:16 was enough for him to be crowned men’s under-23 champion, while the junior men’s title went to Martin Sauser of Switzerland, who finished 14th in the elite race, in 29:48.

In the women’s race, Garabedian led through the swim and posted an impressive split of 17:35 in the second run of five kilometres to keep her rivals at bay and triumph in 31:41.

Sara Perez Sala of Spain finished second in 32:01, with third place going to Margareta Vrablova of Slovakia in 32:10.

Vrablova’s time was enough for her to win the junior women’s category, with Laura Duran Morote of Spain, who finished seventh in the elite race in 33:00, winning the women’s under-23 title.