Few Olympic sports have proven as difficult for the United States to master as fencing. Of the 78 Olympic medals awarded in the men's individual foil since 1896, the U.S. had claimed just two entering Rio — most recently a bronze in 1960.
Alex Massialas added to that total Sunday, taking silver after a difficult 15-11 loss to Daniele Garozzo of Italy in the final. Despite his disappointment afterward, he had earned the first individual medal by a U.S. man in any fencing discipline since Peter Westbrook won bronze in the sabre in 1984.
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