China's Zhong Man celebrates after winning the men's individual sabre final match over France's Nicolas Lopez (unseen) on August 12, 2008 at the Fencing Hall of National Convention Center at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Zhong, 25, gave China their second Olympic fencing title, 24 years after Luan Jujie won the foil in Los Angeles in 1984. [Agencies]
The Asian champion's victory over the silver-medallist from Athens four years ago means Zhong becomes only the second Chinese fencer to take Olympic gold. Luan Jujie achieved the feat in the women's foil at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Zhong Man's golden sabre lit up Chinese hearts, but it was the men's gymnastics team that triggered spontaneous celebrations Tuesday. In the pool, Michael Phelps set another world record to keep his eight-gold hopes alive. His third win in Beijing with the six in Athens makes him only the fourth man to win nine Olympic golds. Zhong won China's first Olympic fencing gold in men's sabre fencing beating Nicolas Lopez of France 15-9."My coach told me to be more aggressive and more active in attacking and so I did it and the rest of the bout went smoothly," said Zhong, who is coached by Frenchman Christian Bauer.
"I feel as though I am dreaming and now I'm more confident about the team event."
The fencing competition continues Wednesday with two medal events up for decision, the men's foil where Lei Sheng is a medal hope for China, and the women's epee.
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