Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-09-30 From: Xinhuanet

MOSCOW, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — Russia’s Elena Netchaeva beat China’s Olympic silver medallist Tan Xue to claim her first world sabre title 15-12 at the world fencing championships in Saint Petersburg on Saturday.

There was disappointment however for the three American competitors who took all the podium places last year with 17-year-old defending champion Rebecca Ward being eliminated in the second round by Poland’s Aleksandra Socha (15-14).

Ward arrived in Russia with high hopes after winning three World Cup events and the Pan American title.

Olympic champion Muriel Zagunis, who lost last year’s final to Ward, fell in the quarter-final to Poland’s Bogna Jozwiak (15-14),while Sada Jacobson, the Olympic and world bronze medallist, was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Italy’s Gioia Marzocca (15-10).