Hungary’s Szilagyi lands fencing gold
Hungary’s incredible Olympic record in men’s sabre fencing was extended at the ExCeL last night as 22-year-old Aron Szilagyi grabbed their first gold of the London Games. It was the 13th time a Hungarian had triumphed in the event – and that includes...
Hungary’s incredible Olympic record in men’s sabre fencing was extended at the ExCeL last night as 22-year-old Aron Szilagyi grabbed their first gold of the London Games.
It was the 13th time a Hungarian had triumphed in the event – and that includes an amazing run of 11 out of 12 victories between 1908 and 1964.
Szilagyi is their only fencer in the world’s top 50 – he is ranked sixth – was their only representative in the 36-strong field and was also one of the youngest taking part, but after four earlier wins he easily beat Italian Diego Occhiuzzi 15-8 in the final.
Bronze went to Russian Nikolay Kovalev, who had beaten German world no. 1 Nicolas Limbach in the last eight.
Kovalev beat Romanian Rares Dumitrescu to claim third place.
Medals table
| Country | G | S | B | Tot. |
| China | 6 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| United States | 3 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| Italy | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| South Korea | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| North Korea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Kazakhstan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Hungary | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Russia | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Georgia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Japan | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Great Britain | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Colombia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cuba | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Poland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Romania | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Taipei | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Azerbaijan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Moldova | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Norway | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Serbia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ukraine | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Today’s highlights
• Swimmer Michael Phelps looks to defend his 200m butterfly title, an event in which he has held the world record for a decade (heats 11.30 a.m.; finals 8.30 p.m.).
• Great Britain and Argentina clash in the men’s field hockey, after recent tensions between the two nations on the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war (8 p.m.).
• British diver Tom Daley looks to honour the memory of his father who died of cancer in May as he and team-mate Pete Waterfield go for gold in the 10m synchronised event (starts 4 p.m.).
Results
Waterpolo (Men)
Greece vs Croatia 6-8; Kazakhstan vs Spain 6-14; Italy vs Australia 8-5; Hungary vs Serbia 10-14; Romania vs Great Britain 13-4; Montenegro vs USA 7-8.
Volleyball (Men)
Great Britain vs Bulgaria 0-3; Russia vs Germany 3-0; Australia vs Argentina 0-3; USA vs Serbia 3-0; Poland vs Italy 3-1.