Sabre fencing legend Mariel Zagunis looks to regain Olympic gold.
Zagunis a two-time Olympic sabre champion, is headed for Rio de Janeiro in August to compete in her fourth Olympiad.
Zagunis cinched her spot on the U.S. team by winning gold last month at the World Cup in Athens, Greece — the site of her first Olympic title in 2004. That earned her enough points in the national senior team standings to qualify for Rio.
In the finals at Athens, Zagunis beat defending world champion Sofiya Velikaya of Russia 15-11 in the final.
“It’s a really incredible feeling,” Zagunis says after a recent training session with coach Ed Korfanty at Oregon Fencing Alliance in Southwest Portland. “I was on a trajectory where I knew I was going to make the team, but the win at the World Cup solidified it.
“It’s great to know my spot is secured no matter what, and I was especially happy with my performance. I fenced really well at that competition. I’m excited to keep that positivity going for the next few months.”
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Sarah Daninthe 