Reynolds, who had her leg amputated in 2012 due to complex regional pain syndrome, fought hard in the paracanoe final of the women’s KL3. She had won a silver at the Rio Paralympics and took the world title last year.

However, after a year of injuries, she fell short of the gold by a photo finish.

"I didn't feel too bad the first half but not having that race preparation on water, has made it a little harder for that last bit," Reynolds told Paddle Australia.

"I didn't know if I would be here for this one, it looked pretty grim, and we didn't get the tick until the last minute so to be here is a bonus," she said.

Fellow Paralympic medallist Susan Seipel, who was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex, missed out on a medal in the women’s KL2 after finishing sixth in the final but will have another chance of a medal in the VL2 tomorrow.

Alyce Burnett earned a place in the semi-finals of the K1 500 and she is ready to take on some of the biggest names.

"This year racing the 500, being an Olympic event, it is different," she said.

"I love lining up against all these amazing girls and hopefully I can be one of them as well."

Meanwhile, Alyssa Bull will be hoping to take over the title of K1 1000 world champion from Burnett after she won her heat and moved straight into the final.

It was the first time the 22-year-old was racing the K1 1000 at a senior World Championship.

"I didn't really know what to expect, I just wanted to go out and have a good race for me," she said.

Jaime Roberts and Jo Brigden-Jones also won their semi-final and head to the final of the K2 200.