American Sada Jacobson won a fencing silver medal, becoming perhaps the first Jewish medalist of the Beijing Olympics.
Jacobson lost, 15-8, in the women’s individual saber final Saturday to fellow American Mariel Zagunis, who also won gold at the 2004 Games in Athens. Jacobson, of Dunwoody, Ga., took the bronze four years ago.
Jacobson had rallied to defeat Sofiya Velikaya of Russia in the semifinals, 15-11. She had beaten Ukraine’s Olena Khomrova by the same score in the quarterfinals.
“There was a new game plan that I was trying and new things,” Jacobson said about her semifinal win. “I was just being a little looser in the second round.”
Rebecca Ward defeated Velikaya in the bronze-medal match, giving the Americans a sweep in the event.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
