| WS Gran Prix-Budapest
Just when the US Women's saber squad appeared to be running away with the 2007 World Cup season, the rest of the world pencilled in some new names on the scorecard. Or rather, some old names not seen in a while.
The FIE's #1 and #2 women sabrists Mariel Zagunis and Becca Ward both fall in the round of 32. Zagunis is upset by USA teammate Dagmara Wozniak, who goes on to defeat another American, Alexis Jemal, in the round of 16. Wozniak becomes the only US finisher in the top 8. Fencing Pictures is reporting that Wozniak will be subbing in tomorrow's team competition for the injured Sada Jacobson.
Ward is beaten by veteran Russian fencer Elena Netchaeva, who also goes on to a top 8 finish. Sada, ranked third in FIE standings, lasts thru the round of 16, finally falling to the eventual bronze medalist, Gioia Marzocca of Italy. Going into the Budapest Gran Prix, Netchaeva had been ranked 33rd, Marzocca 29th.
The Russian women had seemed somewhat muted the last several meets, but in Budapest, they place 3 fencers in the top 8.
2004 Olympic Silver medalist Tan Xue may be regaining some of her Olympic form. She was 5th in Orleans earlier in February, won the World Cup in Moscow mid-month, and repeated her win Saturday at the Budapest Gran Prix.
Next up, the WS team competition tomorrow.
__________________
"Fraud is the creation of trust. And then: its betrayal."
William Black, Ph.D.
| 
Linear Mode
