Zhong gives China first fencing gold after 24 years

Zhong Man's golden sabre lit up Chinese hearts, but it was the men's gymnastics team that triggered spontaneous celebrations Tuesday. In the pool, Michael Phelps set another world record to keep his eight-gold hopes alive. His third win in Beijing with the six in Athens makes him only the fourth man to win nine Olympic golds. Zhong won China's first Olympic fencing gold in men's sabre fencing beating Nicolas Lopez of France 15-9.

It came 28 years after Luan Jujie picked up the country's first (women's) fencing gold in Los Angeles. Luan now represents Canada.

The gymnastics gold tasted sweeter because the Chinese men had failed to lift the team title in Athens 2004. Double world all-around champion Yang Wei led from the front to ensure they did not suffer a similar fate at home.

Source: China Daily