Britain's top fencer Richard Kruse beat world number one Andrea Cassara en route to a Grand Prix bronze medal in Japan.
Kruse, one of two home fencers qualified for the Olympics, had his first victory over Cassara in three attempts, winning 15-13 before going out in the semi-finals to China's Jianfei Ma 15-14.
Team-mate James Davis reached the quarter-finals after confidence-boosting victories over 2010 world champion Peter Joppich and world number eight Victor Sintes, while Ed Jefferies and Husayn Rosowsky also dropped only one of their six group matches.
Laurence Halsted was making his return from injury, but could win just three of his six group fights and failed to make it into the last 64 after a play-off.
Kruse said: "We are really pleased that between us we managed to beat Cassara and Joppich this close to the Olympic Games."