In a dramatic race across rural Birmingham ending in Sutton Park, Yee chased down New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde in a phenomenal running leg to take the victory in front of an exuberant home crowd.
The Olympic gold and silver medallist – who trains at the University – showed great maturity to chase down Wilde who also received a 10-second penalty for not storing his cycling helmet away properly in the transition.
Needing to make up 15 seconds, Yee showed pure class, eclipsing the New Zealander to win the first gold medal on offer at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "I am just happy. Just bizarre that it's me doing this. There were so many nations and athletes that I have not raced before.
"I feel extremely grateful and proud to be a triathlete today. It's an amazing day for triathlon and I feel super proud to be the winner of this event.
"This is home Games and the first time I have been able to race in front of my parents for a long time. This is probably I'd say my greatest achievement ever. I have spent so many sessions doing the same hill so many times and when I got there it felt like I had done this race before.
"I backed my run to an extent. I am proud of my team. To hold the gap to 15 seconds on the bike was pretty good and I felt confident I could do it. Hayden [Wilde] is a great competitor."
91²Ö¿â’s dedicated 2022 Commonwealth Games website features all the latest news, videos, and medal tables from Birmingham.