Hampstead’s ZFW Fencing Club has had plenty to celebrate on the piste recently.
Four-time Olympian Richard Kruse won gold at the Pharoah’s Challenge World Cup event, in the shadows of the Pyramids, with a 15-5 win over Italian Alessio Foconi.
And under-20 fencer Dominic De Almeida took gold in Brno, Czech Republic after landing double gold at the UK School Games.
Kruse, who started fencing aged 10 under the guidance of ZFW founder Ziemek Wojciechowski, had won gold at the Shanghai Grand Prix earlier in the year and said: “I’m delighted to have won the A-grade competition in Cairo.
“I was fencing incredibly well and went from strength to strength as the rounds progressed. The setting was also pretty unique in front of the Sphinx and Pyramids.”
Wojciechowski added: “The standard was very high and we are closing the gap in the run-up to Tokyo 2020. Richard has proven yet again he is a truly world-class fencer with a very realistic chance to qualify and win a medal there.”
UK Sport announced a cut in funding for British Fencing’s world-class programme earlier this year and world number four Kruse is looking for help.
“In light of the cut, Richard needs help from any genuine sponsor to complete his journey in the best possible way,” added Wojciechowski. Anyone who might be able to help can email rkruse83@hotmail.com.
Meanwhile, relative ZFW newcomer De Almedia showed his talent with his hat-trick of gold medals and under-11 foilist David Sosnov won bronze at the St Petersburg Open in Russia.
In an intense 157-strong field, Sosnov was the only non-Russian fencer competing, making his podium place all the more impressive.
ZFW’s other young fencers continue to dominate the Leon Paul Junior Series with gold, silver and bronze medals in a variety of age groups across the country.
*ZFW is run by Olympic coach Ziemek Wojciechowski and a team of dedicated experts, aiming to boost the standard of fencing in Britain.
It also provides a learning programme for youngsters and operates from South Hampstead High School.
For further information see their website zfw-fencing.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here