August 10, 2008

Phelps wins eighth gold on U.S. world record swim in men's 4x100 medley relay

US swimmers gesture before the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. US swimmers set a new world record and won the gold medal in the event with 3 minutes 29.34 seconds.(Xinhua Photo/Chen Kai)

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States clocked a new world record of 3:29:34 to win the men's 4x100m medley relay as Michael Phelps claimed his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics here on Sunday.

Australia took the silver in 3:30.04 and Japan got the bronze in 3:31.18.

Michael Phelps of the United States swims during the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with the help of his teammates with 3 minutes 29.34 seconds.(Xinhua Photo/Chen Kai)

Players of Australian team celebrate during the final of women's 4x100m medley relay at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Australian team won the gold medal with a new world record of 3 minutes 52.69 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australia broke the world record to win the women's 4x100m medley relay gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Sunday.

The Australian quartet of Emily Seebohm, Leisel Jones, Jessican Schipper and Lisbeth Trickett clocked in 3:52.69 to break their world mark of 3:55.74 set up on March 31, 2007.

The United States got the silver in 3:53.30 and China won the bronze in 3:56.11.　

Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia swims during the men's 1500m freestyle final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Mellouli won the gold medal in the event with 14 minutes 40.84 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia clocked in 14:40.84 to win the men's 1,500m freestyle gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Sunday.

Australian Grant Hackett got the silver in 14:41.53 and Canadian Ryan Cochrane settled for the bronze in 14:42.69.

Britta Steffen of Germany celebrates during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal in a new olympic record with 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo/Ding Xu)

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Britta Steffen of Germany won the women's 50m freestyle gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Sunday.

Steffen clocked in an Olympic record of 24.06 seconds to beat the previous mark of 24.13 set up by Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands on September 22, 2000.

American Dara Torres got the silver in 24.07 and Australian Cate Campbell finished third in 24.17.

Britta Steffen of Germany smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)

Britta Steffen (L) of Germany celebrates during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)

Britta Steffen waves during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)

Britta Steffen smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)

Britta Steffen of Germany looks on during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)

Britta Steffen of Germany prepares during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)

Constantina Tomescu of Roumania displays the Roumanian national flag after taking women's marathon final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Tomescu claimed the title of the event. (Xinhua Photo/Guo Dayue)

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Romanian runner Constantina Tomescu added her country Sunday morning a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics while Chinese Zhou Chunxiu created her country's Olympic best by getting a bronze in women's marathon.

The 38-year-old Tomescu clocked 2 hours 26 minutes 44 seconds and Zhou finished in 2:27:07, or her second personal best. Catherine Ndereba of Kenya won the silver, with a result of 2:27:06. Zhu Xiaolin, also from China, was fourth in 2:27.16.

Tomescu has led others since the half mark of 42.195km race.

The gold medalist said, "I was pushing hard and wanted my gold medal."

"In the last kilometer, I kept looking back to check because I didn't want to lose the medal. I felt a little bit of fatigue in my legs."

Ndereba said, "The silver medal is good. The weather was so nice for marathoners but the drizzle made the road a little slippery."

She praised the gold medalist for her tactics of quick lead in the mid way. "The Romanian just disappeared that I hardly noticed."

Zhou, the Chinese favorite whose personal best was 2:19:51, said she was satisfied with the Olympic bronze.

"I executed the follow-up tactics but didn't expect Tomescu to accelerate so soon," she said.

"The thunderous cheers of the spectators drove me mad in the final lap in the national stadium."

World record holder Paula Radcliffe, just recovering from injuries, was ranked 23rd in 2:32:38. She once seemed to quit in the mid way but didn't give up.

Zhou Chunxiu (L) of China competes during women's marathon final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Zhou Chunxiu won the bronze of the event. (Xinhua Photo)

Tomescu Constantina of Romania lunges into the finish line during women's marathon at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Tomescu claimed the title of the event. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

Constantina Tomescu of Roumania lunges into the finish line during women's marathon final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Tomescu claimed the title of the event . (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

Catherine Ndereba of Kenya celebrates after women's marathon final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Catherine Ndereba won the silver medal of the event.(Xinhua Photo)

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka (R) of Switzerland show their gold medals at the awarding ceremony of the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland defeated Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden and claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Fourth seeds Roger Federer and fellow-Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka beat Swedes Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson 3-1 in the men's doubles final the Olympic Games here on Saturday.

Federer/Wawrinka, who have only played their fourth tournament together, needed two hours and 48 minutes to beat the Swedes in their first-ever meeting 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3.

The gold came as a great compensation for the singles world number one Federer, who had aimed to claim the gold in men's singles, only to be sent packing by American James Blake in the quarterfinals.

It was also Switzerland's second Olympic tennis medal, with Marc Rosset winning the men's singles gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games.

"It is like a fantastic dream comes true, I feel really happy to win the gold medal. It is great, I enjoy that," said Federer in mixed zone. "I have tried for several times (to get a medal), and I came really close to the medal in Sydney where I finished fourth."

"Since then I can't stop thinking that If I am the best player in the world, I should do the same in the Olympics, and then finally I made it, it is really special also because it is for Switzerland, you know, our country can not get so many medals at one Olympics, maybe one or two, but this time I got a gold medal, it is for my country, I really feel different, as it is for my coutry, it is different from the Grand Sam where I did it for just myself."

The Swiss duo were into the game quickly, notching up an early break to close out the first set in just 29 minutes. Federer and Wawrinka had squandered two set points while leading 5-3 and 40-0 on the Swiss serve, but a Federer ace worked their way out effectively.

In the second set, the momentum was still on the side of the Swiss pair, who again broke Aspelin and Johansson in the third game of the second set.

The Swedes had a chance to break back in the eighth game when they were leading at 40-15, but the Swiss duo scored four straight points to hold serve and went on to take the set at 6-4.

After an exchange of service break early in the third set, both teams stayed solid in respective serve until a tie-break where the Swedes won at 7-4.

But in the fourth set, the Swiss duo never looked back and won it at 6-3.

In an earlier match, the American twin brothers and top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan rallied to beat Frenchmen Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to get a bronze medal for the United States.

Gold medalists Roger Federer (3rd L) and Stanislas Wawrinka (4th L) of Switzerland, silver medalists Simon Aspelin (1st L) and Thomas Johansson (2nd L) of Sweden, and bronze medalists Bob Bryan amd Mike Bryan of the United States pose for a group photo at the awarding ceremony of the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Roger Federer (R) and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrate their victory after winning the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland won the match and claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Roger Federer of Switzerland stands on the podium at the awarding ceremony of the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland defeated Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden and claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Yao Ming (R) of China vies with Christopher Kaman of Germany during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Yi Jianlian's 15-foot jumper put China 58-55 ahead with 28.1 seconds left on the clock and set the whole crowds at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium into ecstasy.

China held onto to beat Germany 59-55 in a Group B matchup to book a berth in the quarter-finals of the men's basketball competitions for the second time in row at the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Yi had nine points and 11 rebounds to give China the most wanted win so far in the tournament.

Dirk Nowitzki had a great game of 24 points and 17 rebounds, but he missed a potential tying 3-pointer 18.8 seconds to go and lost the ball on the following possession to give up the final chance for Germany.

"Great game comes under great pressure. We know it's an important game. The loss to Spain told us we could beat any teams if we play together and trust each other. We know we had great improvement," Yao said.

China (2-2) came out of a 85-75 overtime loss to Spain to beat Angola 85-68 on Wednesday. Friday's victory put China onto the fourth placings in the group behind the United States, Spain and Greece.

China will meet Greece (2-2) in the final match of the group on Monday and Germany will face the U.S.. China secure at least the fourth placings no matter what results come out of the final round.

Leading 54-41 with 6:52 minutes left in the game, China made only one basket and missed seven attempts to let Germany claw back by 56-55 with 1:55 to go.

"This is a game the whole country witnessed. We won. We won it by defence," Yi said.

Nowitzki missed a three-pointer attempt on the top of the arc after coming back from a timeout and Germans had to foul Yao, who grabbed the defensive rebound.

Yao made one free-throw and Nowitzki got his ball stolen in the middle of the court and the Chinese dribbled the time off on the possession.

"China played a better defence, which was the key to their victory tonight. We had a great second quarter, but for the whole match China gave us lots of pressure on the ball," German coach Dirk Bauermann said.

Bauermann gave thanks to all the volunteers, drivers, and work staff of the Olympics at the post-game press conference as he knew Germany had no chance to advance.

China started strong to lead 19-9 after the first quarter when they played the solid defence to suffocate Germany to shoot 3-out-of-17 in the field.

Germany picked up their defence to hold China to eight points to usurp the lead by 31-27 in the first half.

China answered with a 20-8 third quarter to regain a 10-point lead before Pascal Roller, who had 13 points, scored on the last basket in this quarter to make it 47-39 for China.

Four days ago China gave up a 14-point third-quarter lead to lose to world champions Spain. Friday's match was a repeat of the thrilling loss and this time China proved they were learning.

A 14-2 run in five minutes almost turned the table around for Germany but China finally found their offensive power to clinch the win.

"It's a hard game. We tried many things to change the tide down the stretch but didn't succeed. Fortunately we won the game at last," China's head coach Jonas Kazlauskas said.

Yao Ming of China reacts during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Yao Ming (R) of China lays up during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Yao Ming (R) of China drives up during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese players and coaches jubilate during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Wang Zhizhi (L) of China reacts during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Yao Ming (R) of China lays up during the match China VS Germany in men's preliminary round group B of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Basketball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Jamaica's Usain Bolt displays the national flag of Jamaica after taking men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Usain Bolt claimed the title of the event and broke the world record. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- World record holder Jamaican Usain Bolt dashed to his first Olympic gold in the men's 100 meters final and set a new world mark of 9.69 seconds at Bird's Nest here on Saturday.

Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago got the silver in 9.89 seconds and Dix Walter finished the third in 9.91 seconds.

Bolt didn't even use all his strength in final his final strides, while easing up and bouncing his chest with right palm before reaching the finish line. The previous world record was 9.72 seconds he set earlier this year.

Ecstatic Bolt, wearing the Jamaican national flag, repeatedly kissed his golden shoes, bathing in the hails of 91,000 spectators in the Chinese National Stadium.

Bolt posed for pictures beside the electronic bulletin which showed his new world record.

Powell, a favorite sprinter also from Jamaica, said, "Usain is the greatest of the best, definitely untouchable."

"He could run much a lot faster," said Powell, who finished the fifth in the finals in 9.95 seconds.

Bronze medalist Dix said, "I couldn't be more satisfied and I was proud of my performance here."

Meeting the world record holder for the first time in major events, Dix said, "He did a really good job."

Usain Bolt (C) of Jamaica competes during men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Usain Bolt claimed the title of the event and broke the world record. (Xinhua Photo)

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after taking men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Usain Bolt claimed the title of the event and rewrote the world record to 9.69 secs.(Xinhua Photo)

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Usain Bolt (R1) of Jamaica leads the pack during men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Usain Bolt(R) of Jamaica reacts as he lunges into the finish line during men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Usain Bolt of Jamaica gestures after men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Usain Bolt claimed the title of the event and rewrote the world record to 9.69 secs. (Xinhua Photo)

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates with bare feet after men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka (R) of Switzerland compete during the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland won the match and claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland's Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka beat Sweden's Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johnsson 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3 to win the Olympic tennis men's doubles gold medal here on Saturday.

Roger Federer (R) and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland compete during the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Roger Federer (L) and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland enter the court prior to the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland compete during the men's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan (L) of Indonesia compete with Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China at the men's doubles gold medal match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games badminton event, in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan won the match 2-1 and grabbed the gold medal. (Xinhua Photo)

Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng (back) of China compete with Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia at the men's doubles gold medal match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games badminton event, in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Valerie Vili of New Zealand competes in women's shot put final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Valerie Vili claimed the title of the event. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Valerie Vili from New Zealand was crowned in the women's shot put final at the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday evening, adding the second gold medal to the country's haul in the tournament.

Vili, 23, defeated all other 14 opponents in the final with a 20.56 meter putting of the four-kilogram lump. She made the gold-winning put at her first attempt.

The Kiwi, bronze medalist in 2005 world championships, also achieved her personal best and all her six attempts exceeded 20 meters. What would upset all others more is, no one else, except the silver medalist, ever made that distance in the competition.

Natallia Mikhnevich from Belarus, grabbed the silver medal with a throw of 20.28 meters in her second attempt. The 26-year-old did not catch up with her personal best which was 20.70.

Mikhnevich's fellow Nadzeya Ostapchuk won the bronze medal by a come-from-behind endeavor. She was behind Cuba's Misleydis Gonzalez until the fifth attempt in which she got a best result of 19.86 meters.

China's Gong Lijiao finished sixth, the best rank among all three Chinese qualifiers in the final. She made a put of 19.04 meters.

Nataliia Dobrynska of Ukraine displays the national flag of Ukraine after women's heptathlon 800m at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Nataliia Dobrynska claimed the title of women's heptathlon.(Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nataliia Dorbynska of Ukraine won the Olympic heptathlon gold medal here on Saturday.

Lyudmila Blonska of Ukraine claimed the silver and Hyleas Fountain of the United States took the bronze.

Jang Miran of South Korea celebrates during women's +75kg group A competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games weightlifting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 15, 2008. Jang Miran set the new world record of women's +75kg with a total of 326kg and claimed the gold. (Xinhua Photo)

Jang Miran of South Korea tries a lift during women's +75kg group A competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games weightlifting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 15, 2008. Jang Miran set the new world record of women's +75kg with a total of 326kg and claimed the gold.(Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korean lifter Jang Mi-ran broke three world records to claim the title of "world's strongest woman" at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday.

"I felt so happy. I think of it as a gift from God," she said.

With no opponents at all, Jang, 24, competed with herself in the women's over 75kg category event, met no Chinese lifters but refreshed the snatch, jerk and total world records, all set by Chinese strongwomen.

Jang took her first snatch attempt after all the other 10 lifters finished. She made three successful attempts and finished the snatch section with 140kg, bettering world record, held by her long-time rival China's Mu Shuangshuang, by one kilo.

She hoisted 183kg in her second jerk attempt, breaking the jerk world record, held by China's Tang Gonghong in Athens, and also Mu's world record of total, bettering it by 4 kilos.

Jang, Athens silver medalist and three-time world champion, didn't stop. She renewed the minute-old records by successfully lifting 186kg, totaling 326kg.

"Challenge has no limit," she told a after-game press conference, adding that she would break more world records in coming years.

Jang, who had no expression in her face during the entire competition, smiled to the responsive South Korean fans when climbing onto the podium for gold medalist.

She said "thank you" at the press conference to the supportive crowd.

"Every time I came to the platform, the audience cheered for me," she said.

Olha Korobka of Ukraine took the silver with 277kg.

"My silver medal is equal to gold, because of the fantastic performance of the Korean lifter Jang Miran," she said.

The bronze went to Kazakhstan's Mariya Grabovetskaya, who cleared 270kg.

Mu Shuangshuang didn't take part in the Olympics as China gave up this category due to a rule which restricts each NOC's competitors to a maximum of four in women's events.

Jang said she didn't know about Mu's absence until the last moment before coming to Beijing.

"I would not be alone if I could compete with her," she said.

Jang's compatriot Sa Jae-hyouk won the men's 77kg on Wednesday, claiming the first weightlifting title at the Beijing Olympics for South Korea.

Russia's fencers pose on the podium after winning the gold of Women's Team Foil of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games fencing event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Hanna Thompson (R) of the United States competes against Victoria Nikichina of Russia during Women's Team Foil Gold Medal Match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games fencing event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Russia beat the United States 28-11 and claimed the gold. (Xinhua Photo)

Emily Cross (R) of the United States competes against Victoria Nikichina of Russia during Women's Team Foil Gold Medal Match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games fencing event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Russia beat the United States 28-11 and claimed the gold.(Xinhua Photo)

Svetlana Boyko of Russia celebrates the victory during Women's Team Foil Gold Medal Match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games fencing event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Russia beat the United States 28-11 and claimed the gold. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian women fencers stunned their U.S. rivals 28-11 here Saturday to pocket foil team event gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The bronze medal went to Italy which defeated Hungary.

The final bout was apparently lop-sided. Russia's Svetlana Boyko alone made 13 hits for the team's victory. On the U.S. side, Emily Cross scored 8 points, and her two teammates shared the rest of 3 points.

"It's Boyko! She made the last points against Italy (in semifinal) and the United States, and she did it very well. She's like a mother for us," said Russia's Nikichina Victoria after the match.

Boyko, the 36-year-old fencer, said she would retire after the Games.

"It was a hard day. We won gold, not against the United States, but against Italy. I waited 16 years and four Olympics for this. It was my last chance, as I'm going to retire," she told reporters.

olympic spirit

Phelps wins eighth gold on U.S. world record swim in men's 4x100 medley relay

Australia breaks world record to win women's 4x100m medley relay Olympic gold

Tunisian Mellouli wins men's 1,500m freestyle Olympic gold

German Steffen sets Olympic record to win women's 50m freestyle

Marathoner Tomescu adds gold for Romania, China creates Olympic best with Zhou's bronze

Federer/Wawrinka win doubles gold medal at Olympic tennis

China books quarter-finals berth with 59-55 win over Germany

Jamaica's Bolt breaks world record in 9.69 to win men's 100m Olympic gold

URGENT: Swiss win Olympic tennis doubles gold

FLASH: INDONESIANS KIDO/SETIAWAN WIN OLYMPIC MEN'S BADMINTON DOUBLES GOLD

Valerie Vili wins women's shot put gold

Ukraine's Dobrynska wins Olympic heptathlon gold

S Korean lifter Jang breaks world records, wins women's over 75kg Olympic gold

Russia wins women's foil team gold at Beijing Olympics

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