The Fencing Grand Prix of Qatar, an Olympic-qualifier in individual foil competition, is taking place in Qatar ©FIE

Britain’s 37-year-old Richard Kruse showed he is still a fighting force as he reached the final day at the Fencing Grand Prix of Qatar, an Olympic-qualifier for the individual foil.

Kruse, who progressed from men’s qualifying with a victory over Croatia’s Petar Files, was among 128 men who entered the competition that is taking place in Doha.

He is a among the 32 fencers that will go forward to Sunday's concluding day of action, where they will be joined by 32 others - the world's top 16 and 16 others exempt from qualifying.

The world silver medallist in 2018 and European silver medallist in 2019 will be among those to watch in the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome.

Egypt’s Alaaeldin Abouelkassem, world-ranked 19th, was beaten 15-13 by Russia’s 17th ranked Dmitry Zherebchenko - one of the highest quality bouts of the day in the opening International Fencing Federation Grand Prix of the season.

Britain's 37-year-old world and European silver medallist Richard Kruse qualified for the last 32 in Doha ©Getty Images
Britain's 37-year-old world and European silver medallist Richard Kruse qualified for the last 32 in Doha ©Getty Images

Italy’s Guillaume Bianchi, world-ranked two places below Kruse at 40 and who won individual silver and team gold at the 2019 Naples World University Games, reached the last day with a 15-7 win over Russia’s Iskander Akhmetov.

Bianchi’s compatriot Allessandro Paroli also moved through the first two rounds, beating Belgium’s Stef van Campenhout in his second bout.

France’s Alexandre Sido also progressed with a win over Austria’s Tobias Reichetzer.

Women’s qualifying will take place tomorrow ahead of the finals on Sunday (March 28).