Kruse claims European fencing bronze

GREAT Britain's Richard Kruse claimed his third medal in four years at the European Fencing Championships in Leipzig.

RIGHT TRACK: Richard Kruse talks to the media following his foil bronze at the European Championships in Leipzig (photo supplied)

Kruse, ranked sixth in the world, was narrowly defeated by former world junior champion Valerio Aspromonte in his semi-final and settled for bronze in the foil. World champion Andrea Baldini claimed gold.

"Three European medals for Richard Kruse since 2006 shows that he is a consistent world-class performer," said Graham Watts, British Fencing's performance director.  

"A gold medal at a major championships remains tantalisingly close."

Italy's Valentina Vezzali won the women's foil while Russia's Alexey Yakimenko won the men's sabre and Germany's Imke Duplitzer the women's epee.