PARIS — Former Columbia standout Jackie Dubrovich '16CC made history, helping the United States secure its first-ever gold medal in an Olympic fencing team competition on Thursday. Dubrovich and the world's No. 2-ranked women's foil squad defeated top-seeded Italy, 45-39, in the gold medal match to secure the top spot on the podium.
Dubrovich, a native of Maplewood, New Jersey, is the first Columbia fencer to ever win a gold medal at the Olympics. She is the first Columbia student-athlete to medal since Katie Meili '13CC earned a gold and bronze medal in Rio in 2016 and is the 13
th medalist in Columbia Athletics' history.
The United States dispatched China, 45-37, in the round of eight and then overcame an early deficit to defeat Canada, 45-31, in the semifinals to guarantee a spot on the podium.
Dubrovich came up clutch against Canada, winning her final two bouts to keep the U.S. in front as it secured a spot in the gold medal matchup. Overall, she went 3-3-1 during her bouts.
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