Mariel Zagunis(L) of the United States competes against her teammate Becca Ward during the women's individual sabre semifinal 2 at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing, China, Aug. 9, 2008. Zagunis beat Ward in the bout. (Xinhua/Yang Lei) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Mariel Zagunis outpointed American compatriot Sada Jacobson 15-8 to take the women's individual sabre fencing gold medal at the Olympic Games here on Saturday.

    Earlier, Becca Ward defeated Russian Sofiya Velikaya 15-14 in the bronze medal battle to ensure a clean sweep of the medals by the American fencers in the event.

    Zagunis said she was so excited about the victory, and was pretty sure that the gold medal would be within her reach.

    It was the first gold medal for the U.S. delegation in the Beijing games.

Gold medalist Mariel Zagunis (C), silver medalist Sada Jacobson (L) and bronze medalist Becca Ward, all of the United States, stand on the podium at the awarding ceremony of the women's individual sabre fencing competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing, China, Aug. 9, 2008. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei) Photo Gallery>>>