Women's 200m Freestyle: Pellegrini seals world record win

Federica Pellegrini kisses the gold medal. (Photo credit: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

(Beijing August 13) -- Italy's Federica Pellegrini won gold with a world record time of 1:54.82 in the Women's 200m Freestyle final at the National aquatics center on Wednesday, August 13.

Pellegrini's time was 0.63 seconds under the old world record mark. The swim was all the more impressive because of Pellegrini's heavy Beijing 2008 Olympic Games schedule.

Sara Isakovic of Slovenia, the fastest qualifier into the final on Tuesday, August 12, took silver in 1:54.97.

China's hopes for a surprise gold medal in the race looked good early on with Pang Jiaying swimming strongly, but she faded in the last 50m. Nevertheless, she had done enough to hold on for a bronze medal in 1:55.05 - and to set an Asian record.

Katie Hoff of the United States, who qualified second fastest for the final, finished fourth in an Americas record time of 1:55.78.

Camelia Alina Potec of Romania, the defending Olympic champion, finished in fifth place in 1:56.87.

Maria Valentina Vezzali of Italy took home gold in Women’s Individual Foil

Maria Valentina Vezzali of Italy took home gold in Women’s Individual Foil, beating Nam Hyun-hee of the Republic of Korea. Margherita Granbassi, another Italian, landed with a bronze.

Itlay wons mens individual epee

Matteo Tagliariol of Italy beat Fabrice Jeannet of France 15-9 to win the gold title of Men’s Individual Epee (Fencing) on 10th August. Luis Abajo of Spain had the bronze.