Lei Sheng wins China's first men's foil gold

Chinese fencer Lei Sheng beat Alaaeldin Abouelkassem of Egypt 15-13 to win the men's foil gold yesterday.

The 28-year-old Chinese, who beat top seed Valerio Aspromonte and Andrea Baldini, both favorites from Italy, in his way to the final, fought back a late surge from Abouelkassem, and won the last four points to snatch the first ever gold medal for the Chinese men's foil.

"I was surprised by my own performance," the emotion-overwhelmed Chinese fencer said.

"Before the Olympic competition started, I did not think about winning the gold, just to fence the match one by one. But I was very confident of myself," he said.

He said his confidence did not falter when falling behind 11-9, knowing he still had the chance to win.

"It did not disturb me, I told myself at that moment that so long as the match is not over, I have the chance," he said.