Tan Xue flips over victory after she defeated Sada Jacobson in the semifinal, August 17, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Chen Xiaowei)

    Tan Xue displayed her overwhelming power on her way to the final, in which she met a fierce challenge from Zagunis, who won the gold medal bout 15-9.

    Starting her sports career as a hurdle sprinter when she was a kid, Tan was selected into the track and field team of Tianjing Sports Education School in 1998 and switched to fencing the same year.

    Inspired by a film about Zorro, a legendary Spanish hero who used a sword to fight against evil governors, Tan quickly became one of the most promising stars in China and won the national championship the following year.

    The left-handed Tan became the first Chinese to win a gold medal at the world championships in 2002, offering China the best shot of the gold medal of individual events in Athens.

    "I didn't find a good strategy to deal with Zagunis' attack. I feel sorry that I didn't win the gold medal, but it's a good experience and could be a boost of my career," Tan said.

    Swiss world No.1 fencer Fischer lived up to the expectation to win the first gold medal for the Switzerland in Athens.