USA TODAY Sports
RIO DE JANEIRO — Alexander Massialas, ranked No. 1 in the world and favored to win the first U.S. gold in men’s individual foil fencing, mounted a massive comeback in his quarterfinal against Italy’s Giorgio Avola to stay alive for Sunday night’s medal rounds.
Down 14-8 and one touch from elimination, Massialas reeled off seven consecutive points to huge roars of “USA, USA” in Carioca Arena.
“I felt like every touch, one by one, I could actually do it,” Massialas said. “Never give up and I just fought my hardest and left it all out on the strip.