"I qualified (beating fellow Dutchman Jeffrey Wammes) so I was very happy with that, and after that I could train on the parallel bars and high bars again."

It was during this period that Zonderland decided to go with his high-risk strategy, gaining the support of his coach Daniel Knibbeler, who was "quite positive also from the beginning.

His confidence increased as Zonderland appeared to perfect the routine in almost every training session.

But performing it under the pressure of competition is another matter, and Zonderland's spectacular flop at the European championships in Montpellier set nerves on edge.

"I knew from the training where I made it almost all the time that it was possible but the big challenge is in your head," Zonderland said.

"On the day of the competition I had a lot of nerves and it was quite hard to get it under control."

Unique feat?

But he need not have worried, stunning the crowd and his rivals with his performance. But now he is at the summit of his sport, Zonderland knows he cannot relax.

"You realize there are a lot of talented gymnasts who can do the same as you do, so I think about my competitors who are really working hard," he said.

"I heard about one gymnast in the Netherlands who is also able to do it (the triple move) but for the rest I don't think anybody can do it."

He will step up his training for the world championships in Antwerp in the first weekend of October, sacrificing the sort of lifestyle friends of his own age enjoy.

"You don't have so much time to go out or do things with your friends, so sometimes that's hard but with sport at this level you have no choice."

Fortunately, his girlfriend Linda, who competed at a high level in speed skating as a junior, understands the nature of top-class sports competition.

Zonderland appears remarkably unaffected by his celebrity status in his home country as the first man to win a gymnastics Olympic gold.

Lasting fame

Even his nickname has echoes of the most famous figure in Dutch sporting history, athlete Fanny Blankers Koen, who won four gold medals in track and field at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

Blankers Koen was called "the Flying Dutchwoman" and was named IAAF female athlete of the 20th century by the world governing body.

Zonderland has etched his own piece of Olympics history with his stunning performance in London and set new standards in his discipline -- its impact similar to that of the perfect 10 achieved by Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

In his own country, gymnastics has received a massive boost as youngsters look to emulate him.

"It's called the 'Epke effect,' " his agent of five years Johan Boesjes told CNN.

"He's inspiring a generation of young people and all the clubs have had a massive boost."