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Britain’s top fencer Richard Kruse has clinched a place in the Olympics by winning a satellite event in Copenhagen.

The 28-year-old from London will be competing in his third Games. In Athens eight years ago he became the first British foilist to reach the quarter-finals since 1964.

Kruse had to finish first in Denmark to avoid the Olympic qualifying tournament. He faced his main rival, Ukraine’s Rostyslav Hertsyk, in the round of 16 and came from 13-12 down to win 15-13.

He then won his next two fights and took the final against Francesco Trani in a sudden-death extra minute.

“I have never sweated so much blood for a World Cup point, but it was worth it,” said Kruse.

Alex Newton, British Fencing’s performance manager, said: “We were always confident that Richard would secure qualification either today or at the zonal (qualifier). It’s great to have it in the bag - this is the first time we have qualified though world rankings since before Sydney.”