Germany's Heidemann wins Olympic women's individual epee gold [Xinhua]

Germany's Britta Heidemann defeated Ana Maria Branza of Romania 15-11 to win the Olympic gold medal in the women's individual epee event on Wednesday.

The bronze went to Hungarian Ildiko Dr Mincza-Nebald.

The gold medal match was lopsided, as Branza trailed her German rival all the way from 0-1 to 11-15.

"It's like a dream come true, I'm really happy with today's result," Heidemann said at a press conference.

"We had two gold medals this night, and this will make the sport of fencing more popular in Germany," she said, referring to her fellow German Benjamin Philip Kleibrink who won men's foil gold medal the same day.

Heidemann, number one in the International Fencing Federation' world ranking, was a member of Germany's women's epee team that won silver medal at the Athens Games.

The 26-year-old fencer, born in Cologne, Germany, can speak fluent Chinese. She first came to China more than a decade ago as a student, and had known Chinese fencers such as fourth place winner Li Na from that time.

She has been named by Fritz Schramma, mayor of Cologne, as the city's ambassadress during the Beijing Olympic Games.

Heidemann said she felt good competing in China and said to all the journalists in fluent Chinese "Xiexie Beijing," which means "thank you, Beijing."

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)