If there were such a thing as a dynasty in the Olympics, the Italians would certainly have one. In women's fencing, at least. The Italians won the gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in the women's individual foil event.
Elisa Di Francisca won the gold medal for Italy, defeating Arianna Errigo, 12-11 in one of the closest possible finals there could have been.
Di Francisca also had an equally close semifinal match against against Korea's Hyun Hee Nam. Di Francisca defeated Nam 11-10.
Errigo defeated fellow Italian Valentina Vezzali 15-12 in her match to advance to the gold medal match.
Vezzali did not go home empty handed, as she defeated Nam 13-12 in the bronze medal match, giving the Italians a clean sweep in the women's individual foil fencing event.
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