Ivanov's three gold medals in the event remains (through the 2016 Games) tied for the best results for any individual single sculler (with Pertti Karppinen); only Ekaterina Karsten has more medals in (women's) single sculls, though she took only two golds along with a silver and a bronze.

Bronze this time went to Gottfried Kottmann of Switzerland, that nation's first medal in the event since 1924.

He was a prohibitive favorite to take a third gold medal in the event, especially with the absence of the two strongest potential challengers: New Zealand's James Hill (who had followed a fourth-place finish at the 1960 Games with British Empire and Commonwealth Games championships), who was not in Tokyo, and the United States' Seymour Cromwell (reigning Pan American and Diamond Challenge Sculls champion), who competed only in the double sculls.

The United States made its 11th appearance, most among nations competing but one behind Great Britain which was missing the event for only the second time.

The fourth-place finisher, in the only repechage with that many competitors, was supposed to be eliminated; however, Plettner competed in Final B while Kozak and Kubiak did not.