BEIJING — Maria Valentina Vezzali of Italy won the gold medal in women's foil Monday, her third straight first-place Olympic finish in the event.

She took the lead on a touch with 4 seconds left and held off South Korean Nam Hyunhee 6-5. After the emotional victory, Vezzali fell to the floor and broke down. She stood up and pumped her fist.

Vezzali, who has won six Olympic medals since 1996, also won team foil gold medals in 1996 and 2000 and silver in the individual event in 1996.

Vezzali beat fellow Italian Margherita Granbassi to get to the finals. Nam finished eighth in Athens.

Granbassi won the bronze, her first Olympic medal — denying fellow Italian Giovanna Trillini her eighth. Granbassi, the 2006 world champion, won 15-12.