China's Zou Kai performs on the floor during the men's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, August 17, 2008. Zou Kai claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.050.

China's Zou Kai won gymnastics men's floor exercise gold medal Sunday at the Beijing Olympics.

The 20-year-old, who was making his Olympic debut, won the surprise gold medal at 16.050 points, after reigning world champion Diego Hypolito of Brazil and Olympic silver medallist Marian Dragulescu failed their routines.

Gervasio Deferr from Spain took the silver in 15.775 points, and the bronze went to Russia's Anton Golotsutskov, in 15.725 points.

It was host China's fourth gold medal, after its gymnasts swept the golds for men's team, women's team and men's all-around events.

Zou, entering the final in sixth place when he took to the floor as the fifth player and staged a strong performance on difficulty of 6.7 points, the highest among the eight finals.

Before him, Dragulescu, a three-time Olympian and the floor exercise silver medallist in Athens, sat on the mat after a tumbling combination.

Hypolito, known for having one of the most difficult floor exercise routines, suffered a last-minute defeat when he fell back and sat on the floor after completing his complicated routines.

"I pushed my legs underneath and there was a mistake," said Hypolito after the match. "It was a technical mistake. There's nothing I can do with it."

"I do not think I am the dark horse," said Zou Kai, adding that he believed he is strong enough to have the gold and he is in good form in the competition.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)