Mariel Zagunis and Seth Kelsey carried totally different reputations into their respective fencing events at the 2012 Olympics. Zagunis was the two-time defending champion in women’s sabre, and Kelsey wasn’t considered a medal contender in men’s epee. But neither will leave London with a medal, as both lost bronze medal matches on Wednesday.
Mariel Zagunis, Fellow American Seth Kelsey Narrowly Miss Fencing Medals
Americans Mariel Zagunis and Seth Kelsey barely missed medals in their respective fencing events on Wednesday at the 2012 Olympics.
Presswire
Zagunis’ loss was her second of the day and of her Olympic career. She fell in a semifinal, then lost to Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan in the bronze medal match, 15-10. Just as in her semifinal, Zagunis led after one period, then lost in the second.
Kelsey’s run to the bronze medal match in itself was impressive, as he finished 17th in men’s epee in Beijing. But Kelsey never led against South Korea’s Jung Jinsun, and fell 12-11 in overtime.
South Korea’s Kim Jiyeon, who defeated Zagunis in her semifinal, won gold in women’s sabre, with Russia’s Sophia Velikaia winning silver. Venezuela’s Ruben Limardo won gold in men’s epee, topping silver medalist Bartosz Piasecki of Norway in the gold medal match.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic fencing, follow the 2012 Olympic fencing section.
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