Brownlee confessed following his win in one hour 44min 59sec over Gomez, who had taken the silver medal at London 2012, that he thought this season would be a write-off due to injury.

"At the start of the year I was told I wouldn't be racing at all this season, so I got a bit emotional towards the end because this year I thought I wouldn't be here at all," the 23-year-old Yorkshireman said.

"I thought the season was over two months ago."

It was the second consecutive victory in the World Series by a Brownlee as last month, in San Diego, older brother, Olympic champion Jonathan, had won.

"I've been worried about the heat here, I've been training in a heat chamber before I came out but when I heard the forecast I was so pleased."

Joao Silva of Portugal took bronze behind Gomez and Brownlee, which ensures that he is at the top of the overall rankings with a total of 2,055 points going into the next event in Madrid on June 1 and 2, where both Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee are due to compete.

Jonathan Brownlee held off Javier Gomez off Spain to take gold at the ITU World Triathlon Series Yokohama

In second place is Gomez with 2,004 points and his compatriot Mario Mola behind in third with 1,326 points.

Britain's Adam Bowden kept up his impressive form, finishing in eighth to ensure three consecutive top ten finishes, taking him up to sixth in the overall rankings.

"I'm over the moon I've had three great results here, added to the great result in San Diego," he said.

"I'll have a little bit of a break now, recover a bit and train through to Europeans."

In the women's event, Gwen Jorgensen of the United States achieved back-to-back titles to take her to the top of the overall rankings.

"I wouldn't say it was a repeat of San Diego, there were different conditions out there today, a choppy swim and the rain on the bike, but it was an exciting race for sure," said the 27-year-old from Wisconsin. 

"I just started the run and to be honest I was a little worried those girls really took it out fast and I just tried to focus on my race.

"I just tried to maintain pace the whole way."

Gwen Jorgensen of the United States completed back to back series victories after taking gold in Yokohama

Australia's Emma Moffat finished in second place ahead of Britain's Jodie Stimpson, who won her first series medal.

"I couldn't be happier." said Stimpson.

"The main thing was the run started going into T2.

"I knew if I had a good transition that the people would have to sprint to catch up.

"We did everything we could to hold her [Jorgensen] off but she showed her class there.

"Coming into the finish I knew I needed the inside line going into the final corner but she [Moffat] just had the edge on me in the sprint finish at the end."

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Related stories: 
April 2013: Brownlee strolls to success in San Diego as Gomez fails to make impact
April 2013: Jorgensen writes history with World Triathlon San Diego title
April 2013: Gomez and Haug come out on top in 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series opener in Auckland