No sooner had the rowers moved off the water at the Shunyi complex than Great Britain’s top canoeist showed there might be more medals to come.

At 31, and at his third Olympics, Tim Brabants says he has pushed himself harder than ever before for these Games. The results certainly seemed to be impressive as, eight years on from winning a bronze medal in Sydney, he qualified directly to Friday’s final of the 1,000 metres K1 flatwater race.

Brabants, the present world and European champion, won the first heat in the event in 3min 27.828sec, comfortably the fastest time in any heat, and goes straight to the final. Six other rivals from each heat will have to battle through semi-finals to get to the final.

“It wasn’t easy, but it never is,” Brabants said. “It is the Olympic Games, you had four world class teams out there. It went to plan, though, and training has gone really well. I have pushed myself harder than I ever had before and it’s showing dividends.

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“I am older and wiser and the preparation for this is the best I’ve ever had. The last two years' racing have been the best of my career.” Brabants also goes in the 500 metres event, the heats of which take place on Thursday.