Mexico’s Paola Pliego won the women’s individual sabre gold medal at the 2017 Pan American Fencing Championships in Canadian city Montreal ©FIE/Facebook/Devin Manky

Mexico’s Paola Pliego won the women’s individual sabre gold medal at the 2017 Pan American Fencing Championships in Canadian city Montreal after beating compatriot Julieta Toledo in the final.

Pliego triumphed 15-11 over her opponent at the Centre Pierre Charbonneau, which is located next to the Montreal Olympic Stadium.

She had earlier claimed a 15-7 semi-final win over home favourite Marissa Ponich, who was one of two bronze medallists along with Venezuela’s Shia Rodriguez.

Rodriguez lost 15-4 to Toledo in the other semi-final.

Pliego’s victory sees her improve on the bronze medal she won in the same event at the 2015 Pan American Championships in Chile’s capital Santiago.

Venezuela's Ruben Limardo Gascon won gold in the men's individual épée event ©FIE/Facebook/Devin Manky
Venezuela's Ruben Limardo Gascon won gold in the men's individual épée event ©FIE/Facebook/Devin Manky

Medals were also awarded today in the men’s individual épée event as Venezuela’s Ruben Limardo Gascon came out on top with a narrow 11-10 victory over Colombia’s John Edison Rodriguez in the final.

Limardo Gascon earned his place in the gold medal match by beating the United States’ Benjamin Bratton 14-7.

The other semi-final saw Rodriguez defeat Brazil’s Alexandre Camargo 15-10.

Bratton and Camargo shared the third step of the podium. 

Action in Montreal is due to continue tomorrow when the women’s individual foil and men’s individual sabre competitions take centre stage.