Stefanos Ntouskos from Greece won the men's single sculls in blistering Olympic best time of 6:40.45.
Whilst the Scandinavian rowers Kjetil Borch (NOR) and Sverri Nielsen from Denmark had the reins from the first quarter of the race, the Greek rower blasted his way at the third quarter of the race and charged through with unrelenting momentum at the last 250 metres until he crossed the finish line to win gold.
Meanwhile Borch finished just 1.21 seconds behind Ntouskos to claim silver whilst Croatia's Martin Damir picked up bronze.
This is the first gold in rowing for Greece and the first Olympic gold for Ntouskos who finished sixth place at the men's fours at Rio 2016.
Celebrating his victory, the Greek rower clenched his fists to the sky donning a big smile.
“I feel perfect. I feel very, very good. I’m excited. I don’t have words. I’m happy," Ntouskos said.
“I am very proud of myself. It means a lot. To win the Olympic gold medal is very difficult."
Ntouskos had been the dark horse of men's single sculls and showed he was a threat since he won in the semifinal A/B yesterday against Denmark's Sverri Nielsen and ROC's Alexander Vyazovkin.
And today he continued that winning streak unto the finals.
Whilst the Greek rower made a slow start today was trailing behind the Scandinavians and Damir (CRO) in the first quarter, he knew that he had to turn the tables to win.
"I was in the third place at 750 metres. There was one variation, to go up with strokes. I changed my rhythm and power, and then I was in front."
"It was a very difficult race. I tried to keep contact with them. I knew the opponents were very tough.
“I wanted to take a medal so much that I kept going, kept going.
In the end, Ntouskos relied on his willpower to go for gold.
"Who has the best shape in the race and who has the mentality to keep pushing is the toughest."
On pulling a surprise win today, the Greek rower said: "I am happy to have the great race with them, because I know they are the best in the world."