Chinese fencer Tan Xue ended China's 12-year Olympic medal drought when she collected a silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games Tuesday evening.

Chinese fencer Tan Xue ended China's 12-year Olympic medal drought when she collected a silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games Tuesday evening.

World champion Tan Xue came second to Mariel Zagunis of the United States in the women's sabre .

Tan Xue displayed her overwhelming power on her way to the final, in which she met a fierce challenge from Zagunis, who won the gold medal bout 15-9.

Starting her sports career as a hurdle sprinter when she was a kid, Tan was selected into the track and field team of Tianjing Sports Education School in 1998 and switched to fencing the same year.

Inspired by a film about Zorro, a legendary Spanish hero who used a sword to fight against evil governors, Tan quickly became one of the most promising stars in China and won the national championship the following year.

The left-handed Tan became the first Chinese to win a gold medal at the world championships in 2002, offering China the best shot of the gold medal of individual events in Athens.

"I didn't find a good strategy to deal with Zagunis' attack. I feel sorry that I didn't win the gold medal, but it's a good experience and could be a boost of my career," Tan said.

(Agencies)

fencer : someone skilled at fencing（击剑者）

sabre: a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle（击剑或决斗用的长剑）

promising: showing possibility of achievement or excellence（有希望的，有前途的）