China proves itself as Fencing power

Updated: 2008-08-12 20:59:48

Zhong Man drapes himself in the Chinese flag. (Photo credit:　Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 12) -- China's Zhong Man claimed the gold medal in a 15-9 two-round bout in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Men's Individual Sabre on August 12 at the Fencing Hall. Nicholas Lopez of France took home the silver.

In so doing, Zhong became the first Chinese fencer in Olympic history to win this event.

"I feel as though I'm dreaming and now I'm more confident about the Team event. I want to dedicate this gold medal to my coach, Christian Bauer ," lauded Zhong.

Mihai Covaliu won the bronze medal final with a score of 15-11 against fourth place finisher Julien Pillet of France in a bout that only lasted two rounds.

Zhong (R) and Lopez competing in the Men's Individual Sabre gold medal match (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

"I did everything I could but Covaliu is a little bit stronger than I am and I was just really tired," Pillet said after losing his bout.

Some big names in the event were knocked out early in the day, with Athens 2004 silver medalist Zsolt Nemcsik of Hungary and Russian Stanislav Pozdnyakov failing to reach the quarterfinals.