Chinese gymnast He Kexin pipped American rival Nastia Liukin under the tiebreak rule to dramatically snatch the Olympic asymmetric bars title yesterday.

In the most anticipated apparatus final at the Games, both the favourites earned identical 16.725 scores for their stunning gravity-defying routines.

Following a complicated breakdown of averages relating to points awarded for execution, a jubilant He was adjudged the winner, leaving Liukin and the American camp bewildered.

"I honestly was in shock. When I saw that we got the same scores and my name was in second it was weird," said the all-round Olympic champion, who had the same 7.7 start value as He for her routine.

"That's nothing I can control unfortunately. That's all up to the judges. I guess they liked her routine better, which is fine with me. I did what I could."

The 16-year-old He seemed unfazed by the fuss. Asked if she knew the tiebreak rules, replied: "No, I didn't know."

Her Chinese compatriot Yang Yilin clinched the bronze. He's win increased China's record haul in gymnastics to seven gold medals.