Competing in the men's C1, the 32-year-old former French paddler set the fastest semi-final time on a tricky and testing course in the American state of Maryland before registering an even quicker run in the final.

Lefèvre, who has only been competing internationally in the C1 class for two seasons, said: "It's a strange feeling.

"I did not expect that I would be able to achieve that in the C1 class so quickly.

"My goal was to bring gold in the US and it's done.

"I'm really happy for my country."

Slovakia's Benjamin Savšek took silver to add to his bronze from last year's event in Prague, while Germany's Franz Anton completed the podium.

In the women's equivalent of the event, Australia's Jessica Fox repeated her success from last season to become a two-time world champion.

The talented 20-year-old made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes but her flat line speed was enough to secure the gold medal.

"I'm exhausted," she said.

"It was a really tough battle out there but I'm happy to cross the line in first despite a few errors."

Jessica Fox retained the world title which she won in Prague in 2013 ©Getty Images





Fox, whose final run was significantly faster than her semi-final attempt, added: "I put in a lot more effort.

"I think I charged it down from the top section and didn't stop until the finish.

"I always feel a bit of pressure and there is always a little bit of expectation being the world number one and winning a few World Cup races, but I like that."

Britain's Mallory Franklin claimed the silver medal for the second successive Championships, while France's Oriane Rebours collected bronze.

Meanwhile in the men's K1 final, French trio Boris Neveu, Sébastien Combot and Mathieu Biazizzo stepped up to the podium in that order.

"I'm really excited," said Neveu.

"It was a very, very good day for the French team and we have three medals.

"I concentrated on my run.

"It was not a perfect run but it was good enough to just beat Séb so I'm very, very happy."

Watch the action unfold on the International Canoe Federation YouTube channel here.