In a team event that has seeding implications for the Olympic Games, the United States gave notice to the world that the US is not the team you want to face. The United States entered the event #9 in the world team rankings and as the 7th seed in the Olympic direct elimination tournament.
The United States team of Keeth Smart, Ivan Lee, Jason Rogers, and Timothy Morehouse knocked off #1 Russia in the quarterfinal round of competitions and then defeated #4 France in a close bout before facing another improbable finalist in the gold medal bout.
Spain (#11 world ranking) also played spoiler, upsetting world #7 China and #2 Ukraine en route to a match with the United States.
{mosimage}The Gold Medal bout had the US crowd on edge through the first 2 encounters which ended with the US holding onto a slim 10-9 lead. Ivan Lee of NY (pictured) answered in the 3rd match with a 5-1 run to put the US ahead. Once Lee gave the US a 5 point lead, the team never looked back.
Each fencer gave Spain a new set of problems to figure out. Lee’s dynamic and swift attacks caught opponents a half-step behind, Rogers more methodical attacks kept the Spanish searching for the blade, and Smart’s control of distance led to two spectacular touches where the attack fell short and Smart’s hit signaled the only touch registered.
The US team earned a world cup win and a great deal of confidence heading into the Olympic Games. The win allowed the US to gain a great deal of ground on Olympic #6 seed China, but it still looks like China earned enough points by coming in 9th to stay ahead. (According to the FIE Official rankings and points from last season, the results from this tournament will leave China with 165 points and the US with 160 points.)
US vs. Spain: Match Scores
(Came into match at 6-6)
End of 2nd encounter: USA: 10 Spain: 9
End of 3rd encounter: USA: 15 Spain: 10
End of 4th encounter: USA: 20 Spain: 13
End of 5th encounter: USA: 25 Spain: 17
End of 6th encounter: USA: 30 Spain: 22
End of 7th encounter: USA: 35 Spain: 27
End of 8th encounter: USA: 40 Spain: 27
Final Match Score: USA: 45 Spain: 36
Photo by Brentwood Imaging Las Vegas