Renata Csay led home a Hungarian one-two to win women's K1 gold ©ECA

Renata Csay led home a Hungarian one-two as she successfully defended her women's K1 title at the European Canoe Marathon Championships in Pontevedra in Spain.

The 39-year-old veteran clocked a time of 2 hours 03min 00sec to finish 39 seconds in front of compatriot Vanda Kiszli, the reigning European under-23 champion.

Anna Kožiškova of the Czech Republic did enough to clinch the bronze medal.

"I trusted myself to have a good race, but in marathon you cannot be sure to win again and again and again, because the distance is too long and everything can happen," said Csay. 

"I had the same strategy for the last three years - to paddle very fast in first and second lap and work together with another Hungarian girl. 

"And it worked.”

Jose Ramalho of Portugal also sealed his second straight European Canoe Marathon Championships crown as he reigned supreme in the men's K1 race.

The Portuguese competitor completed the course in 2:08:31 to defend his gold medal, with Emilio Merchan of Spain taking home silver.

Merchan produced one of the more light-hearted moments of the day as he proposed to his girlfriend after he was presented with his medal.

Adrian Boros added to the Hungarian haul by securing the bronze medal.

Jose Ramalho of Portugal clinched his second consecutive gold in the men's K1 race ©ECA
Jose Ramalho of Portugal clinched his second consecutive gold in the men's K1 race ©ECA

Elsewhere on the penultimate day of the event, Antonio Campos delivered success for the host nation by winning the men's C1 competition.

The Spaniard clocked 2:08:33 to earn the gold medal and dethrone defending champion Marton Kover of Hungary, who could not quite keep pace with Campos in the final stages of a fascinating race.

Nuno Barros ousted Portuguese team-mate Rui Lacerda in the battle for the bronze medal.

"I had the advantage of competing here at home and have the fans on my side, which always pushes you and gives you more strength," Campos said. 

"I want to dedicate this win to my daughter, who is here encouraging me, and to all who came here to cheer for me in Pontevedra to the last breath, which was what helped me beat the Hungarian."

There was disappointment for the organisers and the event as a whole in the women's C1 event as not enough competitors entered the race.

Germany's Cathrin Duerr finished six minutes in front of nearest challenger Pauline Martin of France with a time of 1:51:10 and Raque lRodriguez of Spain won the bronze medal.

Each athlete received a medal but there were no flags or national anthem.