By Jules Palton

From the introduction of the new blind date couples, to the finish line in Tokyo, Japan, the 26th season of The Amazing Race has already began to stir up some stiff competition as the race for the one-million prize has begun. Some of the new blind date couples began to question the chemistry they may have with their new dates who they will be going on competitions with all over the world. New couple member, Tyler Adams said, "A lack of chemistry with a stranger, especially in such a serious competition with so much on the line, can be a very frustrating scenario." Several other couples went on to prove that chemistry was not an issue.

Ranging from chest-high mud, to freezing, ice cold water to swim across to make it to the other side to begin the next part of the race, this military-like obstacle course that began the competition, proved to be a tougher adversary than the couples imagined. Contestants were then flown out to Tokyo, Japan where they had to complete one of two obstacles between identifying sake' bottles and learning choreography from the local Japanese dance teams in the fastest time. Should they fail at completing one of the two courses, couples had the option to go forth to the more simpler obstacle to resume the race.

Forced into a jaw dropping U-turn set by another team, and unable to finish just moments before the couple out of Tuskegee, Alabama, C.J. Harris and Lebya Simpson, the courageous preexisting couple, Jeff Magee and Lyda Grawn, were eliminated from the competition. Blind date couple, Jenny Wu and Jelani Roy, persevered and proved that they have what it takes to make it in the competition by winning the first race and earning their express pass.

Stay tuned to catch the race and all of its action as it resumes back to its regular time period, this Friday, February 27th, at 8:00pm ET on CBS.

Photo credit: CBS