RIO DE JANEIRO (August 13) – Russia won a fourth Olympic fencing gold medal on Saturday with a 45-30 victory over Ukraine in the women’s team sabre final.
Russia’s trio of Yana Egorian, Yuliya Garvilova and Sofya Velikaya established an early lead and extended it to a full 15 points by the time Velikaya got the final touch.
It was a second gold medal of the Games for Egorian, who beat Velikaya in an all-Russian individual final on Monday. The others win their first gold including Velikaya, the London 2012 silver medallist.
"It's unparalleled happiness. It can't be described by any other words. The common
goal is to get on target, friendship and respect for each other."
- Sofya Velikaya (RUS)
With the victory, Russia equals its gold medal haul of four from the Atlanta Games.
Ukraine anchor Olga Kharlan, meanwhile, adds a silver to the bronze she won in the individual event. The other runners-up were Alina Komashchuk, Olena Kravatska and Olena Voronina.
"It's the fourth medal for our country, and it's very important that we represent it. We hope they are proud of us." - Olga Kharlan (UKR)
The American quartet of Ibtihaj Muhammad, Dagmara Wozniak, Mariel Zagunis and Monica Askamit took the bronze medal with a 45-30 victory over Italy in the match for third place. It was a fourth medal of the Games for the United States, which now boasts two silver and two bronze.
"I feel like we came in the underdogs. We haven't medalled all year and to be able to do
that and go home with a medal is just a phenomenal feat. I'll never forget this
moment.”
- Ibtihaj Muhammad (USA).
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WOMEN’S TEAM SABRE BULLETS:
- In the match for fifth place, South Korea beat Poland 45-41
- Mexico clinched seventh place with a 45-38 victory over France
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