Russia claims Women's Team Sabre gold

Emily Cross (R) of the United States competes against Victoria Nikichina of Russia. (Photo credit: Yang Lei/Xinhua)

Russia has claimed the gold medal in the final of the Women's Team Sabre competition with a win of 28-11 over the United States at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 16.

Russia beat the favorite Italy earlier in the semifinals.

"It was a hard day. We won gold, not against the United States but against Italy," Svetlana Boyko of Russian commented after her Team victory.

The bronze medal goes to Italy in the other final bout after it beat Hungary 32-23.

Italian fencing specialist Maria Valentina Vezzali is also Beijing 2008 Individual Foil Olympic champion.

"The journey to Beijing will always stay in my mind. It is just fantastic that I have won two medals," said Vezzali.