U.S. Fencing - The Official Website of the U.S. Fencing Association - 2008 0620 Becca Ward Wins Gold in Las Vegas Women’s Saber Grand Prix, Next Stop the Olympic Games

LAS VEGAS, Nev.– Eighteen year-old Becca Ward (Portland, Ore.) captured the gold medal today at the Las Vegas Grand Prix the final Grand Prix of the World Cup season for women’s saber fencing prior to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Ward, who exuded confidence throughout the day, will enter the 2008 Olympic Games with the added confidence of knowing she is at the top of her game after defeating 2004 Olympic silver medalist Xue Tan of China 15-11 in the semifinal and Shin Mi Lee of Korea in the final 15-9.

"I’m happy that I won this tournament," said Ward. "I won here last year, so there was a little bit of pressure to repeat, but I had fun, it was a good bout and I’m happy with it. I actually fenced Lee in the semis last year and Tan in the finals last year so it’s a little bit of a switch up, but the same result. This was our last Grand Prix before the Olympics. Everyone was here; a lot of good competitors and I’m glad I managed to pull through. Anyone can beat you on any given day so you have to fence everyone your hardest."

Today was not a confidence builder for Ward’s Olympic teammates were both upset early in the 64 athlete bracket. Mariel Zagunis (Portland, Ore./Beaverton, Ore.), the Olympic gold medalists in 2004 was upset and knocked out in the first round by Sabina Makina of Azerbaijan by a score of 13-15. Sada Jacobson (Dunwoody, Ga.), the Olympic bronze medalist from 2004 in Athens, Greece, advanced to the quarterfinals where she fell to France’s Leonore Perrus by the score of 12-15. Zagunis and Jacobson will have a shot at redemption tomorrow as they go for gold in the women’s saber team competition. Dagmara Wozniak (Avenel, N.J.), the replacement athlete for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team also lost in the first round by the score of 7-15 to Russia’s Sophia Velikaia.

For complete results from today’s competition, please visit www.prisedefer.com.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, fans will also be treated to competition in the Men’s Saber Grand Prix preliminary pools and the Women’s Foil World Cup. All competition is taking place at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino and admission is free. The competition is in the Ballroom located in the Exhibition Center at the base of the Island Tower.

The U.S. men’s sabre squad just missed out on a medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, finishing fourth. They will be looking to use the Las Vegas Grand Prix event as a critical tune-up for their march to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where they hope to reach the podium. Two-time U.S. Olympian Keeth Smart (Brooklyn, N.Y./2000 and 2004) and 2004 U.S. Olympic alternate Tim Morehouse (Bronx, N.Y./New York, N.Y.) will be joined by Jason Rogers (Los Angeles, Calif./New York, N.Y.). James Williams (Sacramento, Calif./New York, N.Y.) will serve as the replacement athlete.

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for women’s foil will all see action tomorrow as well. Erinn Smart (Brooklyn, N.Y.), 2004 U.S. Olympian, 2000 replacement athlete and Keeth Smart’s sister, will be joined by Junior World Champion Emily Cross (New York, N.Y.) and Hannah Thompson (Rochester, N.Y.). The replacement athlete in women’s foil is Doris Willette (Lafayette, Calif.).

Please see below for competition schedule (all times are Pacific Daylight Time):

Saturday, June 21

8:00 a.m. - Women’s Foil World Cup – Individual Preliminary Pools 10:30 a.m. – Men’s Saber Grand Prix – Individual Preliminary Pools 1:00 p.m. – Women’s Saber Grand Prix – Team Competition 6:00 p.m. – Women’s Saber Grand Prix – Team Bronze Medal Bout 7:00 p.m. – Women’s Saber Grand Prix – Team Gold Medal Bout

Sunday, June 22

8:00 a.m. - Women’s Foil World Cup – Individual Bracket 1:00 p.m. – Men’s Saber Grand Prix – Individual Bracket 6:00 p.m. – Women’s Foil World Cup – Individual Medal Round 6:00 p.m. – Men’s Saber Grand Prix – Individual Medal Round

Monday, June 23

9:00 a.m. – Men’s Saber Grand Prix – Team Competition 6:00 p.m. – Men’s Saber Grand Prix – Team Bronze Medal Bout 7:00 p.m. – Men’s Saber Grand Prix – Team Gold Medal Bout

For more information, please contact Cecil Bleiker, NGB Media Services Director for U.S. Fencing at 719-330-2062. This press release is also available on the USOC’s media specific website at www.usocpressbox.org.