BEIRUT: China's Lei Sheng won the gold medal Tuesday in the men’s fencing finals in the 2012 Olympics in London.

His rival, Alaaeldin Abouelkassem, earned a silver, in a first for an Egyptian national.

Abouelkassem qualified for the final of the men’s individual foil at the ExCel Stadium following a hard-fought 15-12 semi-final victory over Byungchal Choi of South Korea.

Earlier Sheng Lei overcame Andrea Baldini of Italy in the days other semifinal by a margin of 15-11.

Earlier in the day Abouelkassem gained victories over Miles Chamley-Watson of America, and German four-time world champion Peter Joppich both by a margin of 15-10, before defeating Andrea Cassara of Italy to set up his semi-final showdown.