Kitajima edged American rival Brendan Hansen by 17 hundredths of a second in a nailbiting final.

CNN: Thai gold as Asian athletes excel

American Brendan Hansen, now 30 years old, came out of retirement to give the race a last shot.

WSJ: Menu

"Once you have become an Olympic champion that can never be taken away from you, " he added after finishing ahead of Australian Christian Sprenger and American Brendan Hansen.

CNN: July 29, 2012 -- Updated 2305 GMT (0705 HKT)