He will now compete at his third Olympic Games, having previously reached the quarter-finals at Athens in 2004 – the first British foilist to achieve the feat in 40 years.

Kruse (pictured, right) edged out Ukraine's Rostyslav Hertysk for the final European automatic qualifying spot for this summer's Games, avoiding the necessity to take part in a further similar tournament.

The Londoner defeated Hertysk in the last 16, fighting back from 13-12 down to win 15-13.

Third place at the tournament went to home favourite Patrick Jorgensen, who beat Ukrainian Volodymyr Koltygo.

"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, commented: "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 through world rankings since before Sydney [2000]."

Britain now boasts nine places for fencers in addition to eight guaranteed host-nation slots.

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