Fencing Review: New Fencing powerhouses shake European foundations

(BEIJING, August 17) -- Fencing at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games heralded the dawn of a new era with up and coming Fencing powerhouses challenging Europe's traditional dominance. The United States and countries from Asia claimed one third of all possible medals across 10 events at the Fencing Hall.

Women's Competition

Maria Valentina Vezzali from Italy made Olympic Fencing history on Day 3 of competition when the foil specialist confirmed her World No. 1 status by adding another Women's Individual Foil title to her resume. Vezzali is the first fencer in history to have won three individual gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games: in Sydney 2000, in Athens 2004, and at Beijing 2008.

Vezzali out-fenced Nam Hyun-hee of the Republic of Korea, who became the first female fencer from her country to win an Olympic Fencing medal. Bronze went to another Italian fencer Margherita Granbassi.

In Women's Team Foil, Italy was again one of the favorites but finished with a bronze medal behind surprise silver medalists the United States. Russia took the gold.

Britta Heidemann from Germany followed through as the favorite in Women's Individual Epee by defeating China's Li Na in the semifinal and Romanian Ana Maria Branza for silver. Bronze medalist Ildiko Mincza-Nebald was also able to maintain Hungary's podium tradition, strong since Women's Individual Epee made its Olympic debut in 1996 at Atlanta.

Mariel Zagunis from the United States led a US podium sweep in Women's Individual Sabre. Zagunis repeated her Athens 2004 Olympic victory by defeating teammate Sada Jacobson. Becca Ward completed the US sweep with bronze.

After two Olympic editions of Women's Individual Sabre, the United States has won five from a possible six medals, demonstrating their growing Fencing prowess.

Sabre fencer Azza Besbes from Tunisia also became the first African fencer to progress to the Individual Sabre quarterfinals at an Olympic Games before falling to Becca Ward 15-14 in her quarterfinal bout.

Gold in Women's Team Sabre didn't go to the United States, who finished in third place, but to Ukraine. Ukraine defeated China to put its name in the history books by winning gold at the event's debut at the Olympics.

Men's Competition

Outsider Zhong Man was successful in Men's Individual Sabre. Zhong defeated Nicolas Lopez from France in the final to become the first Chinese male to win Olympic Fencing gold.

Sydney 2000 gold medalist Mihai Covaliu from Romania also crushed France's dream of a double medal result in this event when Covaliu picked up the bronze medal by defeating French fencer Julien Pillet.

France successfully defended their Athens 2004 Team Sabre title by defeating surprise contender the United States. Bronze went to Italy.

Benjamin Philip Kleibrink of Germany was crowned Olympic champion in Men's Individual Foil, making history as the first German Foil fencer to win gold at an Olympic Games.

The German defeated Ota Yuki from Japan in the gold medal bout. Ota's silver medal also marks Japan's entrance into the overall Olympic Fencing medal tally. Bronze went to Salvatore Sanzo of Italy.

In Men's Individual Epee, Matteo Tagliariol from Italy survived the attacks of his challengers and was the only favorite to win a medal. Tagliariol defeated France's Fabrice Jeannet and the bronze medal went to Jose Luis Abajo of Spain, who won Spain the first Olympic Fencing medal.

France's Ulrich Robeiri and brothers Fabrice and Jerome Jeannet took gold in Men's Team Epee in a supreme display against Poland, who took silver, followed by bronze medalist Italy, who defeated China in front of its home crowd.

The Fencing competition at Beijing 2008 sends a clear message to some of the sport's older powerhouses - Fencing's globalization means the regency of European countries is coming to an end.

France still managed to take pole position in the Beijing 2008 Fencing medal tally with two gold and two silver, followed by Italy with two gold and five bronze medals and Germany with two gold medals.

The United States walks away with six medals - one gold, three silver and two bronze.

At the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, 25 of the 30 medals handed out went to European NOCs. At Beijing 2008, the Fencing medal tally between Europe and the rest of the world is 20 to 10.

The battle for Fencing supremacy between Asia, Europe and the Americas has now officially begun.