Romanian Ponor collects her second apparatus gold on floor

Gold medallist Catalina Ponor (C) of Romania at the award ceremony of Olympic women's balance beam event, 23 August 2004 at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens.

Romanian shining girl Catalina Ponor, who just took the Olympic gold on beam one hour ago, clinched her second individual gold in Athens on August 23 night on the floor exercise.

Ponor, 17, who had got the gold medal on beam and floor at the 2004 European Championships, scored 9.750 points for her second apparatus title.

Ponor, a specialist on beam and floor, qualified first to the final with 9.775 on beam and first on floor with 9.687.

When the charming Romanian girl in shining black performed on the floor, all the spectators clapped their hands in the rhythm of the music.

Romania's silver medallist Daniela Sofronie, her teammate gold medallist Catalina Ponor and Spain's bronze medallist Patricia Moreno (L to R) smile on the podium at the women's floor exercise ceremony, 23 August 2004 during the Athens Olympics Games.

Daniela Sofronie, also from Romania, finished second with 9.562 points.

Sofronie, 17, was the individual all-around champion at the 2004 European Championships.

Patricia Moreno from Spain, 16, took the bronze with 9.487 points.

Chinese Cheng Fei, 16, who was one of the hopes of the Chinese gymnastics for the future, finished fourth with 9.412 points.

Cheng got 9.650 points on the floor in the qualifications, ranking second behind Ponor.

Chinese women's team coach Lu Shanzhen told Xinhua, "Cheng's performance on the floor tonight was her worst since she came to Athens."

"She was a bit nervous, and did not show her best form tonight, "Lu added.

Following are the results of the women's floor exercise final at the Athens Olympic Games:

1. Catalina Ponor, Romania, 9.750 points

2. Nicoleta Daniela Sofronie, Romania, 9.562

3. Patricia Moreno, Spain, 9.487

4. Cheng Fei, China, 9.412

5. Daiane dos Santos, Brazil, 9.375

6. Mohini Bhardwaj, United States, 9.312

7. Kate Richardson, Canada, 9.312

8. Alina Kozich, Ukraine, 8.500