Jonathan Brownlee made a stunning return to competition, leading from start to finish to win the ITU World Triathlon race in Yokohama.
The Olympic bronze medallist and reigning world champion feared for his season after sustaining an ankle injury.
But the only ones worried were his rivals as he produced a performance every bit as commanding as brother Alistair Brownlee's recent win in San Diego.
He left Spain’s Javier Gomez and Portugal’s Joao Silva trailing on the 10km run and crossed the line in one hour, 44 minutes and 59 seconds for his fifth career world series victory.
“At the start of the year I was told I wouldn’t be racing at all this season, so I got a bit emotional towards the end because this year I thought I wouldn’t be here at all,” he said.
“I thought the season was over two months ago. I didn’t know what to expect all, to cross the finish line was more relief than anything. I was running around just pleased to be here to be honest.”
Brownlee even admitted he was shocked by how strong his running performance was, underlined by a blistering 7:11 minutes for his second lap.
And even the weather was on his side, as rain cooled the normal sweltering conditions.
“I started off and thought there would be a big group of us and turned around and there was just two of us," he added.
"So I was feeling good, I have an advantage over everyone in that I was felling fresher, they’ve raced twice already all over the world and they have the points in the bag whereas I have been at home training in Yorkshire but it was a big shock to get a gap.
“I did feel at home. I have been worried about the heat here and I have been training in a heat chamber before I came out.
"When I heard the forecast I thought I’m so pleased it is going to rain, I sat in my hotel room hoping for it to rain and it did.”
American Gwen Jorgensen produced a commanding run to win the women's race while Australia's Emma Moffatt held off Great Britain's Jodie Simpson to claim second in a sprint finish.
“Gwen is a fantastic runner and when I tried to go with her when she surged," said Simpson.
"I did go with her for a bit but she just kept on pushing and I couldn’t stay with her and then it was a battle between me and Emma."
© Sportsbeat 2013