Wow, read NDTV Sports
The 28-year-old had been laid low by a virus earlier this week but recovered to plunge into the waters of the Serpentine at a sun-soaked Hyde Park and claim victory in 1hr 49min 55.1sec, 3.4sec in front of Germany’s Thomas Lurz.
Richard Weinberger of Canada took the bronze medal, with world champion Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece finishing just outside the medals in fourth place, ahead of Great Britain’s Daniel Fogg.
“In the last 300 to 400 metres, I basically went through Hell and came back to life,” said Mellouli.
“My shoulders were getting so heavy, my legs were getting so tight, and my lungs were burning so much.
“I caught a virus 48 hours ago and couldn’t be in the water, so to come back and do this is something quite miraculous.”
