Riding Star, Kawai completed the course with 1.45-metre fences in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 25.71sec.

Twenty-three-year-old Kawai was a reserve for the host nation at the Olympics, but did not feature in the team jumping event.

Today he pushed Evelina Tovek of Sweden and Cortina 212 into second place, as their time was 26.03.

Polish rider Andrzej Oplatek and Le Cordial stopped the clock in 26.21 to complete the top three, as 23 riders incurred no penalties.

Later, the Shanghai Swans topped qualifying in the Global Champions League.

German riders Christian Ahlmann and Max Kühner gave the Swans pole position, and they were one of four teams to head into tomorrow's final with a clear score - along with the London Knights, Paris Panthers and Doha Falcons.