A stirring pair of semifinal bouts have concluded in Athens. Sada Jacobson (Dunwoody, Ga.) lost a tough 15-12 match to China’s Xue Tan, and Mariel Zagunis defeated Catalina Gheorghitoaia 15-10 to reach the gold-medal bout.
Zagunis rocked to the lead early in her bout, going on a six-touch run after losing the first point, and leading 8-2 at the break.
Gheorghitoaia made a strong rally at points in the second period, but Zagunis fenced patiently and strong, finishing the bout 15-10.
Jacobson struggled with Tan’s athletic distance. The bout went back and forth and tied several times through 12-12; then Tan went on a three-touch streak to kill Jacobson’s bid for gold, finishing 15-12.
Zagunis will fence Tan for the gold medal at 8:25 Greece time, 1:25 US time in front of a packed house — the fencing venue is reportedly sold out.
