Dominant Performance from Kruse secures second Grand Prix win

Richard Kruse stormed to the Havana Grand Prix title in fine style this weekend.  He followed up a tight (15-14) quarterfinal victory over, World number one, Alex Massialas (USA), with dominant displays in the semi-final and final.

He overcame a spirited performance from Jean-Paul Tony Helissey (FRA) in the semi-final.  The Frenchman was fighting for his place on the French Olympic team but Kruse won 15-12.  He followed that up with a master class in tactical and technical superiority in the final against Alaaeldin Abouelkassem (EGY) – the London 2012 silver medallist – winning 15-5. 

The Egyptian picked up his first major medal since the London Games with his performance whilst Tony Helissey shared the bronze medal position with Race Imboden (USA).

Speaking after the event Kruse said; “I’m so pleased to win my second Grand Prix.  My first one was back in 2009 in Venice so this will really boost my ranking points.”

Prior to this competition Great Britain had already secured qualification for the men’s team foil event in Rio later this year but individual ranking points will still affect the draw for each fencer in the individual event at Rio 2016.