Atlanta Olympic fencer receives hero’s welcome

Olympic silver medalist Sada Jacobson could think of only one thing to say to the crowd waiting for her Saturday at the place where she trained for the fencing competition in Beijing.

“Hi, everybody,” the 25-year-old said, standing beside her coach, Maestro Arkady Burdan.

Enlarge this image

AP

Atlanta’s Sada Jacobson reacts after winning a match at the Beijing Games.

Then some younger fencers rushed her, all trying to hug, touch or have their picture taken with their hero.

Jacobson, fencing for 10 years, was one of the three U.S. competitors taking medals in sabre fencing, a relatively new Olympic sport for women. In 2004, Jacobson took the bronze.

They oohed when she showed them both her medals during a welcome-home celebration at Nellya Fencers on Carroll Drive in Atlanta.

Some called her attention to their contributions to the many signs along the wall of the facility. “I did the D,” said Skyla Powers, a national champion in 12-and-younger competition.

“You are the future of fencing,” Jacobson said after collecting her thoughts.

Parents handed out plastic glasses filled with champagne or sparking grape juice for a toast to Jacobson, who is retiring from competing so she can attend law school and get married.

Assistant coach Terrence Lusker said Jacobson provided “all the proof we need that hard work pays off.”