She won gold medals in the team foil at the 1960, 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics.

[2][3] Between 1956 and 1971 Zabelina won eight team and two individual world titles in the foil.

She missed the 1964 Summer Olympics because she was expecting her son.

[5] Zabelina first trained in gymnastics, but had to quit due to an injury.

Her students included the Olympic champion Maria Mazina.