Adam Peaty apologised for “disrespecting” the Commonwealth Games and swam through the storm to 50m breaststroke gold.
The wounded lion bit back to take victory and get his paws on the only major title that has eluded him.
Before last month’s broken foot, defeat to Cameron van der Burgh at Gold Coast 2018 was the biggest setback of his career.
The 27-year-old responded by completing the career set of breaststroke titles, leading from block to wall to take victory in a time of 26.76.
“That was the only one I hadn’t won in my career, I can retire now,” he joked.
“I lost my spark at the start of the week but to have it back now, this is what it’s about.
“I’m a much happier man. I had two options this morning, fight or don’t fight. If anyone knows me, I fight.
“That means so much to be, the time I don’t care, that means so much to me because of what I’ve been through the last few months, the last year, the last five years.”
One length proved no problem for Peaty in the 100m final – he led at the halfway mark – but his lack of speed endurance saw him overhauled by all comers.
He was on top of the lane rope and the world again after 24 hours dominated by the double Olympic champion’s supposed disrespect for the “friendly Games”.
“I’m sorry to those who have worked so hard to be here,” he said. “I want to be accountable for that, it came across very wrong and I did address it.
“There was a lot of emotion yesterday. A lot of people must understand I reached the bottom of the bottom yesterday. To bring myself up in my own mind is a result.”
Silver was won by Australia’s Sam Williamson, 0.21 behind Peaty, and there was an improbable bronze for 28-year-old Ross Murdoch in the final individual race of his career.
Murdoch played his own unique role in Peaty’s triumph.
Peaty revealed: “I said to Ross on the swim down that I didn’t want to do the 50. Ross told me, ‘No, because you’ll regret it the day after and the year after.’
“I’m glad he was there to encourage me.”
He continued: “I didn’t have the hunger; I can easily say in each interview that I’m ready and confident, but it is not until you get out on those blocks that you feel ready.
“And I didn’t feel ready on that 100, I felt lost, I didn’t know where I was.
“That took so much out of me because I’ve invested so much in this journey with this situation.
“But Paris, I’ve got that hunger now, I’ve got something to prove and I’m dangerous like that.”
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