USA Wins Fencing Bronze In Women's Team Epee

In what some will consider a disapointing finish, Team USA's women's epee fencing team captured the bronze medal over Russia on Saturday night.

The U.S.'s Courtney Hurley outdueled Russia's Anna Sivkova in a match that required sudden death after the two were tied 30-30 as time expired.

For clarity to the general fan: Epee fencing is one of three fencing events, in addition to Foil and Sabre. In epee fencing, the weapon used is heavier, the entire body is open to attack, and the weapon must hit the opponents body with just the tip and both fencers can score a point simultaneously, where as Foil and Sabre fencing uses "right of way" scoring.

You may not know it, but the Americans are usually considered as one of the best fencing country's in the field.

During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Team USA captured six medals in the event, while Saturday's bronze medal was the first and only for the country at the 2012 games.

Epee fencing was first introduced at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub.