Russia takes gold & silver in women’s individual saber at Rio Olympics

It was an all-Russian final in the women's individual saber fencing that saw Yana Egorian winning gold and leaving her compatriot Sofiya Velikaya with silver.

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The 22-year-old Egorian beat Vilikaya in the final match 15:14. The bronze medal went to Ukrainian Olga Kharlan, who overcame French fencer Manon Brunet by the score of 15:10.

Yana Egorian of Russia celebrates winning the match. © Lucy Nicholson © Reuters

The Rio gold medal was the first to be won by a Russian or USSR female athlete in the individual saber Olympic event since 1968.

Before winning the Olympic gold, Egorian won one gold medal at the World Championship and four gold medals at the European Championships.

Sofiya Velikaia of Russia. © Issei Kato © Reuters

Velikaya has now become a two-time Olympic silver medal winner, in addition to her seven World Championship gold medals and 11 gold medals from European Championships.

Team Russia now has 2 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Russia's first gold medal in Rio was won by judoka Beslan Mudranov, who was victorious in the men’s 60kg final Saturday.