Brice Guyart gave France their first gold medal in the fencing at the Athens Olympics when he beat the Italian Salvatore Sanzo 15-13 to take the men's individual foil on Monday.
Italy's Andrea Cassara, the world number one going into the tournament, had to make do with bronze, coming from 8-11 down to beat Renal Ganeev of Russia 15-12.
In a heated final which saw both players warned for foul play, Guyart quickly trailed 0-4 but he levelled the scores at 5-5 from which stage the fencers went point for point to the finish.
It was Guyart's second Olympic gold; he was a member of the French team that triumphed in Sydney four years ago.
"I can't believe what I have accomplished here. I had to work very hard in two matches to win the final," he said.
"I had to work four years to improve my technical ability and my physical strength."