Newly-crowned world champion Alexey Yakimenko led the way for the Russia team, producing an excellent series of performances to reach the men’s sabre final.

Yakimenko faced the difficult challenge of Romania’s Tiberiu Dolniceanu in the gold medal contest but took control early on in the tie and pulled away to win 15-8. 

The two fencers were joined on the podium by Ukraine’s Andriy Yagodka and Germany’s Nicolas Limbach, the beaten semi-finalists. 

Russia had the individual champion but were beaten in the quarter-final stage of the team event by the United States, who then secured consecutive 45-38 wins over Germany and France to win the gold medal. 

Romania, beaten 45-37 by France in the semi-final, joined Germany in claiming the team sabre bronze medal.

Double Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis secured the women’s individual title, edging through her quarter-final tie with South Korea’s Jiyeon Kim 15-13 before enjoying more straightforward matches in both her semi-final and the gold medal match.

The American proved the superior fencer throughout the final against South Korea’s Jiyeon Seo, triumphing 15-8.

Italy’s Rossella Gregorio and France’s Manon Brunet received the bronze medals.

Russia earned gold medals in the women’s team event, dominating from start to finish of the contest against Ukraine to emerge as 45-22 victors.

Poland and Italy claimed bronze medals after their semi-final defeats.

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