Action begun today at the International Fencing Federation Épée Grand Prix in Cali ©FIE/Facebook/Augusto Bizzi

France’s Ronan Gustin was among those to progress through to the last-64 of the men’s competition on the opening day of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Épée Grand Prix in Cali. 

The 18th seed, a world team gold medallist last year, ensured he will be competing in the elimination rounds on Sunday (May 27) after winning all six of his Pool 2 matches in the Colombian city.

He will next play China’s Wang Zijie, who claimed three victories in Pool 5 before securing his place in the round-of-64 with a 15-3 win over home favourite Stahelyn Jose Agamez Londono. 

The top-16 seeds all received a bye through the round of pools and preliminary stage

Number one seed Bogdan Nikishin, who formed part of the gold medal-winning Ukrainian team at the 2015 World Championships, will firstly have to find his way past Colombia’s Alexander Gonzalez.

Ukraine's Bogdan Nikishin is due to begin his campaign on Sunday (May 27) ©Getty Images
Ukraine's Bogdan Nikishin is due to begin his campaign on Sunday (May 27) ©Getty Images

Gonzalez advanced from Pool 6 with two wins from his six outings before defeating Venezuela’s Grabiel Lugo 15-14.

The women's round of pools and preliminary stage are due to be held tomorrow. 

World number one Emese Szász-Kovács of Hungary is the favourite to take the gold medal. 

Like the men’s competition, the women’s will conclude on Sunday.

The event is the final FIE Grand Prix of the nine-city series for the 2017-2018 season.