Action continued on another busy day of competition at the World Rowing Championships ©World Rowing

Ireland's Olympic silver medallist and defending lightweight single sculls world champion Paul O’Donovan was among the heat winners today as action continued at the World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton.

O'Donovan, who partnered his brother Gary in the lightweight double sculls at Rio 2016, powered to an impressive quarter-final victory today at Nathan Benderson Park in Florida.

Lukáš Babač of Slovakia, the bronze medallist last year in Rotterdam, was the only other entrant to break the seven minute barrier in the four quarter-finals today.

He began with a trademark relaxed start, and was in fourth at halfway, before dominating the second half of the race.

The 23-year-old eventually finished in 6min 56.99sec to comfortably defeat Germany’s Lars Wichert, second in 7:01.740.

Luka Radonic of Croatia placed third in 7:04.540.

Lukáš Babač of Slovakia, the bronze medallist last year in Rotterdam, was the only other entrant to break the seven minute barrier in the four quarter-finals today.

He clocked 6:58.45 to win the fourth race.

Vladislev Ryabcev of Russia was the fastest qualifier.

He posted a time of 6:47.150 in race four.

Olympic bronze medallist Ondřej Synek of Czech Republic also impressed by winning the second quarter-final in 6:47.220.

Rio 2016 silver medallist Damir Martin of Croatia had to settle for second in quarter-final one, though, after his time of 6:51.520 saw him finish 2.22 seconds behind Cuban rival Angel Fournier Rodriguez.