BEIJING — The deciding point was finally lucky for Keeth Smart and the U.S. men’s saber team.
Smart, of Brooklyn, N.Y., scored the final touch in a 45-44 quarterfinal victory over Hungary on Sunday. At the 2004 Olympics, he was on the strip for back-to-back 45-44 losses that cost the Americans a medal.
The U.S trailed Hungary 40-36 before Smart outscored Zsolt Nemcsik 9-4 in the final round. On the deciding point, Smart retreated slightly, then lunged forward to land the touch.
The U.S. will face Russia later Sunday. France takes on Italy in the other semifinal.
On Saturday, Smart’s sister Erinn won a silver medal as part of the women’s foil team.
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