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Garozzo captures men's foil gold for Italy

Xinhua, August 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Fencing powerhouse Italy pocketed its second gold of the Rio Games after Daniele Garozzo beat Alexander Massialas of the United States in the final of men'foil individual.

Italy now has nine fencing gold medals in Olympic Games, equalling the record by France.

Garozzo, who never be a champion in the senior level, raced into a 14-8 lead but Massialas mounted a stirring comeback, forcing Garozzo to dig deep for a 15-11 victory.

"I think it's impossible. I really can't believe what's happening now. If you told me this yesterday, I wouldn't believe it." said Garozzo.

The last Italian fencer won the men'foil individual is Alessandro Puccini's victory in 1996.

Massialas, the world No.1, became the first male fencer representing USA to win an Olympic medal in an individual event since 1984, when Peter Westbrook won a bronze in men's saber.

Russia's Timur Safin edged Richard Kruse 15-13 in the bronze match.

Famous fencers from Asia suffered a disappointed day with the defending champion Lei Sheng and Japan's world champion Yuki Ota were both eliminated in the round of 32.

Lei Sheng, the first Chinese foil champion in Olympic Games, was defeated by French veteran Erwan Le Pechoux 9-15.

"My opponent attacked me many times and I didn't have the chance to hit him back." Lei said.

"I'm going to prepare for the (men's foil) team event, I hope that in the team event I can have a better performance." he added. Endit