Romanian Mihai Covaliu, the sabre gold medalist in the Sydney Olympics failed to recoup his title and took the bronze medal in the Beijing Games in Beijing on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old outscored Frenchman Julien Pillet 15-11. The fencers were knnotted at 4-4, 5-5, and 9-9. After that, the Romanian veteran managed a lead till the end.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)