His time of 1:07.92 gave him victory by 0.40 seconds from Canada’s Laurent Dubreuil who clocked 1:08.32 for silver.

Bronze went to Norway’s Haavard Holmefjord Lorentzen in 1:08.48.

"I was really nervous for this race, I knew I had to give everything I had," Krol said.

He had won silver over 1500 metres earlier in the Games.

"I had just one job, to show the best I had at the right moment," Krol added.

"With one pair to go I realised it was going to be close and the moment I had it, I was overwhelmed."

Dubreuil had been the last to skate.

"Being the last pair helped me today," Dubreuil said.

"It allowed me to see all the times and I thought I could beat anyone else but Thomas.

"As fast as we’re going now, it will be even tougher in four years, but I’m enjoying myself too much to retire, I’m living my dream life at the moment."

Lorentzen had skated with Krol three pairs from home.

"I was in the last two pairs, so nothing was certain," Lorentzen admitted.

"But I knew when I was that close to Thomas, I could be good enough for a podium."