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United States Fencing Association
06/11/2012 | News release
Zagunis Earns Wins Bronze, Wozniak Places Sixth at Gent Saber World Cup
distributed by noodls on 06/10/2012 20:47
Photo: Cathy Zagunis
Bronze medalist Mariel Zagunis.
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) - Mariel Zagunis (Beaverton, Ore.) earned her fifth straight individual medal on the international circuit on Saturday when she took bronze at the Gent Saber World Cup in Belgium.
The top-ranked athlete in the world doubled the scores of both of her first two opponents as she took out Davina Hirzmann (GER), 15-7, in the table of 64 and Iryna Kravchuk (TUR), 15-5, in the table of 32.
Although Marion Stoltz (FRA) kept their table of 16 bout close, Zagunis earned the win, 15-13.
Zagunis held her quarter-final opponent, Stefanie Kubissa (GER) to eight touches to advance to the medal rounds.
In the semifinals, Zagunis was outtouched by 2005 Senior World medalist Ilaria Bianco (ITA), 15-14. Bianco went on went on to win gold over teammate Irene Vecchi (ITA).
Dagmara Wozniak (Avenel, N.J.), who will compete with Zagunis at the London Olympic Games, was seeded seventh in the table of 64 and won her opening bout against Yi Tak Fong (HKG), 15-9.
After a close win over Eileen Grench (PAN), 15-13, Wozniak defeated Joanna Hutchison (GBR), 15-6, to advance to the quarter-finals.
The silver medalist at this event last year, Wozniak had hopes of returning to the podium, but she lost her bout in the quarters to Irena Wieckowska (POL), 15-13, and finished sixth.
Like all four U.S. athletes in the table of 64, Ibtihaj Muhammad (Maplewood, N.J.) was exempt from the pools and preliminary rounds on Friday. Muhammad opened with a win on Saturday against Shia Rodriguez (VEN), 15-9, but lost in the table of 32 to Bianco, 15-10, to place 20th.
Daria Schneider (New York City, N.Y.) also advanced to the table of 64, but lost to Paola Guarneri (ITA), 15-8.
Competition continues on Sunday when Zagunis, Schneider, Wozniak and 2012 Cadet World medalist Francesca Russo (Wayne, N.J.) will compete in the team event.
Top eight and U.S.
Gent Saber Individual World Cup
1. Ilaria Biancho (ITA)
2. Irene Vecchi (ITA)
3. Irena Wieckowska (POL)
3. Mariel Zagunis (Beaverton, Ore.)
5. Gioia Marzocca (ITA)
6. Dagmara Wozniak (Avenel, N.J.)
7. Nina Kozlova (UKR)
8. Stefanie Kubissa (GER)
20. Ibtihaj Muhammad (Maplewood, N.J.)
35. Daria Schneider (New York City, N.Y.)
70. Francesca Russo (Wayne, N.J.)
74. Faizah Muhammad (Mapelwood, N.J.)
79. Sage Palmedo (Portland, Ore.)
83. Celina Merza (Wayne, N.J.)
95. Aziza Hassan (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
