Kruse Retains Shanghai Title

A month after winning his sixth British Championship, Richard Kruse achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Shanghai Grand Prix for the second year in a row.

In an incredibly tough tournament with all the world's top fencers competing, Richard saw off Italian great, Andrea Cassarà in a thrilling semi-final, coming through from 14-11 down to win 15-14 (see the YouTube video below of the thrilling match). Then in the final, the British Number 1 met Russian Timur Safin, which again produced a tight match, with the Richard winning 15-13.

Speaking afterwards to the BBC, ZFW head coach, Ziemek Wojciechowski, said: "These days there is a very large group of potential winners in men's foil so to win a grand prix is particularly hard - but to win it for the second time in a row is almost unbelievable."