US Mariel Zagunis celebrates after winning against Canada Sandra Sassine on August 8, 2008 at the Fencing Hall of National Convention Center in Beijing, as part of the of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. [Agencies]

BEIJING--Mariel Zagunis, the Athens Olympic champion in woman's saber, defended her title and won the first gold medal for the United States at the Beijing Games on Saturday.

Mariel Zagunis of the US (L) competes against compatriot Sada Jacobson during their sabre bout in the women's individual fencing competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 9, 2008.[ Agencies]

Zagunis beat her teammate Sada Jocobason 15-8.

The bronze medal went to another U.S. fencer Becca Ward after she edged out Sofiya Velikaya from Russia 15-14.