Brazil has been confirmed as the best men's rafting crew as the World Rafting Championships came to a close in Rotorua on Sunday, while New Zealand's women won their first gold medal in the Women's Open.
Brazil won the Men's Open finale by a few boat lengths from Japan on the spectacular Down River climax, a 45-minute race down the Rangitaiki - the most of rafting's four disciplines.
That was enough to give the Brazilian men the fastest time of the day and both the Down River and Overall gold medals.
Japan finished runners-up in the race and on the points table, with New Zealand edging out Chile for the bronze medal.
The New Zealand women beat Japan by 13 seconds in the Down River paddle with Slovakia third, the Slovakians finishing runners-up overall to the hosts, with the Czech Republic third.
Local river expertise saw New Zealand crews lock out the overall gold medals and Men's and Women's Masters categories.
