Jacobson Sada claims Saber title in Havana

(BEIJING, June 16) -- United States fencer Sada Jacobson defeated her compatriot, Mariel,Zagunis 15-13 to take the women's saber crown at the Villa de La Habana Fencing World Cup and 2008 FIE World Championships in Havana, Cuba, June 6 - 15.

As World No 3 and the top seed, Jacobson cruised easily into the final. She beat her fellow American Caroline Vloka 15-5 in the quarterfinals and Lee Shin Mi from the Republic of Korea, 15-6, in the semifinals on her way to the final where she out-pointed Zagunis, 15-13.

Zagunis beat Gioia Marzocca of Italy in her semifinal, 15-10, having also beaten

Hong Kong fencer Yu Qunli, in the quarterfinals, who is ranked 71 in the world and seeded 23, so did well to reach the final-eight.

Over 300 fencers from 34 countries took part in the ten-day event, which also adds useful world rankings points for the participants.