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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:24 a.m., Thursday, August 14, 2008

Ukraine rallies past China for women's saber gold

Associated Press

BEIJING — Olga Kharlan has led the Ukrainian women's saber team to a shocking gold medal.

Kharlan scored nine of the bout's last 13 points in a 45-44 victory over China.

Ukraine trailed 40-36 when Kharlan entered the strip for the final round against China's Tan Xue. The first team to 45 points wins, and after Kharlan rallied to a 44-all tie, everything was riding on the final point.

After both fencers attacked, the official checked video replay but awarded neither athlete a point. Kharlan then scored the winning touch to complete a remarkable comeback.

China settled for the silver medal, and the United States took the bronze. The U.S. featured all three individual medalists in women's saber but was upset by Ukraine in the semifinals.