Things didn’t go too badly for the United States in the women’s individual foil final on Sunday.
The match between Lee Keefer and Lauren Scruggs was the first all-American Olympic fencer in the final since 2008, but Keefer won 15-6 to finish atop the podium and win her second consecutive individual foil gold medal.
Kiefer, a Cleveland native, became the first American to win gold in the individual foil event at the Tokyo Olympics and her victory in Sunday’s final was all but assured.
After both players shared the first two touches, Keefer recorded five consecutive touches in the first three minutes to extend his lead to 7-2.
Keefer repeatedly scored with the same counterattack move, giving Scruggs space to close in on him before charging through.
It took just one of the three periods for Kiefer to score the 15 points he needed to win the gold medal.
She then took off her helmet and let out a cry of joy.
Scruggs, from Queens, placed second and won his first Olympic medal.
