A calculated risk by Louis Smith to switch to his more difficult routine paid rich dividends when he claimed an historic bronze medal in the pommel horse final. It was Great Britain's first men's individual medal since Walter Tysal captured a silver in London 100 years ago and a first gymnastics medal for the nation in 80 years.

Having executed his routine perfectly, the 19-year-old punched both arms in the air and gave a confident thumbs-up to his support team and the cameras. His “A” score of 6.700 was the highest in the field and, after an almost flawless performance, he was awarded 9.025 from the “B” panel to give him an overall score of 15.725.

It was a truly momentous day for the sport and for the teenager taking part in first Olympics in front of a massive and vociferous partisan crowd. He finished level on points with Filip Ude, of Croatia, who squeezed him into third place after a tie-break procedure.

Xiao Qin, of China, captured the gold medal with a score of 15.875. He was delighted to atone for his mistake at the Athens Games, when he fell off the pommel horse and failed to help his team finish among the medals. The Chinese student joined the People's Liberation Army when he was 9 and had received a military rank by the age of 22.

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But the night belonged to Smith, who also started young, aged 4, and said that the medal was the culmination of 14 years' hard work. “So many have supported me. I was emotional, scared and nervous,” he said.

Paul Hall, his coach, said that they had agreed to change his programme to the more difficult one in the morning. “We've always had two options and it just depends if Louis feels right - and he felt right,” Hall said. “It was a big relief when he got to the end because it was risky, but he is superb at controlling his nerves.”

In the silver-medal position with two gymnasts left, Smith knew he would finish with a medal after José Luis Fuentes Bustamante, of Venezuela, fell off and botched his routine. “Once he fell and crumpled, I thought 'yes', Smith said. “Xiao is brilliant and Ude did a fantastic routine. I'm just thrilled to win the bronze medal.”

A Commonwealth Games gold medal-winner for England in 2006, Smith became the first British male gymnast in 13 years to win a World Championship medal last year when he claimed bronze in the pommel horse in Stuttgart. Now he has his sights set on London 2012.

“I've said before I'd like to revolutionise the sport and I hope this will inspire many youngsters to take it up,” he said. “We need more support leading up to 2012 and I've definitely got a taste for it. I want that gold.”

The gymnast plans to get an Olympic rings tattoo, joining the one across his shoulder blades - “What I deserve, I earn”. He certainly did that.