London Olympics | fencing

Mariel Zagunis of the United States walks off after losing the bronze medal to Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan in the women’s sabre individual event.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mariel Zagunis, left, battles Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan at the London Olympics. Zagunis was upset and finished out of medal contention.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Venezuela’s Gascon Limardo gets a kiss from his coach late in his match before winning the gold medal in the men’s epee individual final.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Venezuelan Ruben Limardo’s mask flies as runs in celebration of winning the gold medal in the men’s epee individual final at the 2012 London Olympics.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

South Korea’s Kim Jiyeon celebrates her upset victory over U.S. fencer Mariel Zagunis in the women’s sabre semifinal bout. She went on to win the gold medal.  (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP/Getty Images)

Mariel Zagunis, right, reacts after conceding a hit against South Korea’s Kim Jiyeon during their women’s sabre semifinal bout, which Zagunis lost in an upset.  (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. fencer Mariel Zagunis, left, spars against Japan’s Nakayama Seira in a round of 16 match during their women’s sabre individual fencing event.  (Toshifumi Kitamura / AFP / Getty Images)

Seira Nakayama of Japan loses to Mariel Zagunis of the United States in the women’s sabre individual round of 16 match.  (Hannah Johnston / Getty Images)