Former Arthur Mellows Village College pupil Smith, 19, became the first Brit ever to make it to the final of the pommel horse after scoring 15.325 points at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Saturday to qualify in fifth place with a steady, no frills routine.

And having made British Olympic history, the Eye youngster is determined to go one better after revealing he has a few more tricks up his sleeve to throw into the mix when the medals are up for grabs on Sunday.

"It was running through my head, clean routine, clean routine and I must have tensed up a bit," said Smith, referring to a slight slip midway through his routine.

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"But in the end I just got through and threw in a few other elements which pulled back my score and I made it through so I am delighted."

"In the final however I will need a little bit more if I am to get myself a medal and I have a few elements I can add to my pommel routine."

A canny competitor, the Commonwealth gold and World bronze medallist would not reveal too much about his secret weapons, only to say that if he gets it right, he should be in with a great shout of making the podium.

Smith said: "I have a technically more difficult start to my routine which I know will score me more points and push me close to a medal.

"In gymnastics it is all about taking calculated risks. In qualifying I knew my routine should have been good enough to get me through, and it was just, but if I want to be on the podium on Sunday then I will have to go for it more and push things a little more.

"Of course it is great to be the first British guy to reach an individual final in a century so I am already happy, but a medal would just be the icing on the cake, it would be like a dream come true. I think I have the routine to do it, but we will have to wait and see."

Smith looked relaxed and confident as he gave a thumbs up to TV cameras during Saturday's competition as Hunts Gym Club team mate Daniel Keatings made it double joy for the brilliant Brits by reaching Thursday's all round final.

Coach Paul Hall said: "I am very pleased with the job Louis and Dan did out there. They came out and performed like soldiers, although both of them can do better still. Louis has the potential to be right up there and Dan has a sparkling future ahead of him."