Smith produced a stunning display to earn the bronze medal and Hall admitted: "I thought he could get a medal but the big question was whether he could do his routine, which was immensely difficult,"

"It is not always possible to get through clean from start to finish, especially with the stress of that kind of competition, and he delivered.

"I'm just very thankful he got through, it could have been so different.

"I've been there quite a few times so I'm used to it but it was a wonderful relief when he got to the end.

"I was willing him through. It was a gamble to change to the difficult routine but it was quite good odds.

"He had been going through it quite consistently and that was what got him the medal in the end.

"He was nervous but he controls his nerves, that is part of his quality.

"Louis is an amazing performer and he can get through his routine in the most pressurised of situations – which is his great asset."

Hall is based at Huntingdon with Smith (left) and younger clubmate Daniel Keatings, who became the first British man to qualify for the all-round final for 88 years.

Hall also has high hopes for the future, and admits the sport would benefit greatly from extra funding to improve facilities.

"One of the reasons Louis is so good on pommel horse is because it is in a little corner of the gym where no-one interferes," added Hall.

"During toddler sessions we have to put crash mats as barriers to stop the little kids running underneath so it really is quite a challenge.

"But I can say that our juniors are exemplary. We have kids who have won at the junior European Championships in May and they are a team for 2012.

"We hope to come back in 2012 with a full team and fighting for not just one medal but two or three."