Andrea Cassara

Sport: Fencing

Nation: Italy

DOB: January 3, 1984

Career Highlights: Cassara made a stellar Olympic debut in 2004 by earning the individual bronze medal to go along with his gold in the team competition. He lost in the individual semifinals to eventual gold medalist Brice Guyart by a 15-14 score, and said afterward that "I was a bit disappointed with the bronze," which seemed to indicate he was headed for an even bigger performance four years later. That didn't happen, however, as he was stunned in the quarterfinals by China's Zhu Jun in Beijing. Cassara, who made the 2008 team after Andrea Baldini failed a drug test, wasn't able to compete for team gold as foil wasn't contested as a team event that year. Now ranked No. 1 in the world by an overwhelming margin, Cassara comes into London as a heavy favorite to reach the podium as he takes another swipe at an individual gold. Cassara broke through for his first individual gold in world championship competition last year after never placing in the top two at the event, adding that to team golds at worlds in 2008 and 2003. Cassara began fencing when he was 5 years old and learned foil because his local fencing club didn't teach epee or saber.

Olympic History: 2008,2004