The German team were looking for further success at the venue following four triumphs in luge competition.

Grotheer came into the competition as a medal contender having won the last two world titles, although Latvia’s World Cup winner Martins Dukurs and Sochi 2014 champion Alexander Tretiakov were considered favourites.

Dukurs saw his hopes of an elusive Olympic title impacted by recording the sixth fastest time on the first run, while Tretiakov faltered on his second.

The opening two runs saw Grotheer seize control of the event by recording the fastest times yesterday, clocking a track record of exactly one minute, followed by a 1min 00.33sec.

Grotheer also produced the fastest time on the third run today, before a safe final effort saw him finish in an overall winning time of 4:01.01.

"Unbelievable, I am so proud,” Grotheer said.

"I can't understand what's happened today.

"You have to be a good athlete at the start.

"You have to be brave in the track and not so big, not too much muscle."

Compatriot Axel Jungk earned the silver medal in a time of 4:01.67, with hosts China able to celebrate bronze with Yan Wengang rounding off the podium in 4:01.77.

Tretiakov missed out on a medals, with the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) athlete finishing in fourth place in 4:01.99.

China’s Yin Zheng and the ROC’s Evgeniu Rukosuev placed fifth and sixth respectively, with six time World Championship gold medallist Dukurs trailing in seventh.

The competition also saw Ukrainian slider Vladyslav Heraskevych hold a demonstration after his third run, raising a banner saying "No War in Ukraine".