Krisztian Berki, two times and reigning world champion, won Hungary's second gold medal in the London Olympics as he triumphed in his specialty of pommel horse through a tie-breaker on Sunday.

Britain's Lousi Smith, bronze medalist from the Beijing Olympics, scored the same 16.066 points as Berki did, but had to settle for the silver medal because of a lower execution score.

Another British Max Whitlock finished third with 15.600 points. With two Britons on the podium, the home crowd came up with a lot of cheers and applause, ignoring the tie-breaker dilemma.

Talking about the dramatic victory, Berki said: "I'm very happy, I have no idea what happened. Maybe tomorrow I will and then I might believe that I have won the Olympic title."

"When I watched Louis Smith I thought that he could win as he had a very strong exercise. But the judges saw me as being the better performer today. To beat two British athletes and to do it in London is a great achievement."

Hard work is what makes Berki a world champion on pommel horse. "In the last month I have completed over 200 exercises and that's what I'm doing in practice, day in day out, to become the best," added Berki.

To Smith, it was a disappointment to miss the top with the same score, much more regret rather than joy seen during the award ceremony.

Asked about whether Smith plans to continue to compete until the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, he said:"I'd love to settle down and have kids, but gold is the only color medal I haven't got. I feel like I'm at my peak. It depends what Krisztian (Berki) does. If he finishes, I'd be top dog for once."

Berki becomes Hungary's fifth Olympic gold medal winner on pommel horse, equal to the record by the Soviet Union.

Since grabbing the bronze at Beijing 2008, Smith took silver on pommel horse during all three European championships. The 23-year-old claimed silver at 2010 worlds and finished in third at the 2011 worlds.

To Whitlock, it was a day of success. "I didn't even think I would get one, so it's an amazing feeling," said the 19-year-old.

"I just wanted to go out there and do a clean routine. It was basically whoever did the cleanest routine would get a medal and Louis (Smith) did a great job and I'm really happy to get a medal.

"I have two bronze medals now (one with the team and one on pommel horse), this is unbelievable. It's crazy. I can't explain that feeling," added he.

Whitlock gave credit to Smith's work by saying: "He (Smith) did fantastic, he got his highest score ever. He was so close to gold. He upped his bronze medal from Beijing."