Jacobson, Sada

Sport:
fencing

Country Represented:
United States

Years Competed:
2004

Medals Received:
bronze

Olympic Info:
The top-ranked women's saber fencer in the world, Jacobson and her younger sister Emily Jacobson had high hopes for medals as they entered the 2004 Athens Olympics. Women's saber was making its debut at the Olympics in Athens. Jacobson breezed past Cuban Miclin Faez as she beat the 17th seed 15-4, in the round of 16. The American fencer faced a much tougher challenge in 8th seed Leonore Perrus, whom she faced in the quarterfinals. Sada won 15-11 after a shaky start and advanced to the semis. Sada lost her shot at gold or silver when she lost to Xue Tan of China (seeded 5th) 15-12 after being ahead half way through the encounter. On August 17, Sada won the bronze medal in the competition (won by fellow American Mariel Zagunis), by defeating Catalina Gheorhitoaia of Roumania, 15-7.

Career Highlights:
The daughter of David Jacobson, a member of the 1974 U.S. National fencing team, Sada began fencing competitively at the relatively-late age of 15. Within two years, she was a member of the U.S. National team and has competed in the World Championships four times. In her first individual World Championships in 2001, Jacobson placed 12th - she then placed fifth in 2002 and 2003. In 2000, at the age of 17, Sada helped the U.S. team capture the gold medal in the team saber competition.

Sada, who attends Yale University, is a two-time NCAA saber champion and compiled a record of 59-1 in collegiate competition. She is the first U.S. woman (and second-ever American) to reach a No. 1 world ranking in fencing. A gold medalist at the 2003 Titan Games, she took time off from Yale to train for the Olympics. In 2003, she also won two World Cup events, including the Grand Prix in New York. That year, Jacobson was named the U.S. Fencer of the Year.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. February 14, 1983

Origin:
Dunwoody, Georgia

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