Tunisian fencer Azza Besbes, the first African women's sabreur to enter the quarterfinal of Olympic competition, lost to U.S. fencer Ward Becca 14-15 at the Fencing Hall on Saturday.

"I was not able to concentrate and failed to find the right action. It was a counter-attack. I was too edgy and didn't think it through," she said.

"I'm very delighted because I am the first African girl who achieved this result. I'm proud of myself. I think I can encourage the Tunisian people. They would think, 'Wow, she can make it to the quarterfinals, maybe I can do the same or better.' Then more and more people may start fencing."

"This is my first Olympic Games. I need more experience. We have many good young fencers in Tunisia and I think we can make a very good team for the London 2012 Olympic Games."

President Rene Roch of the International Fencing Federation said at a press conference after the quarterfinals that he was happy to see an African fencer achieve such good result at the Olympic Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)