Ibtihaj Muhammad, U.S. capture bronze in team sabre event

The result was notable not just because it gave the USA women their third team fencing medal in history (all bronze) but because it made Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American to wear a hijab head covering during competition, an Olympic medalist.

It had been eight years since Mariel Zagunis won an Olympic medal. With the help of two teammates from New Jersey, she will leave here with everlasting proof that she was right.

Wozniak got the United States off to a good start at 5-2 and was the most effective fencer throughout, out-touching her opponents 15-5.

Zagunis was handed a stunning defeat in the London individual sabre semifinals after leading 12-5 and went on to lose the bronze medal match to Ukranian Olga Kharlan.

The U.S. beat Italy 45-30 to clinch third place and the first women’s medal in fencing for the Americans in Rio. Her reputation among Team USA was evident after she placed second to Michael Phelps in voting by US athletes to choose the country’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony last week. Aksamit will receive a medal since she competed in a bout. And one of their racers, Georgia Simmerling, has now competed in three different Olympics in three different sports.