Cornish fencing star James Honeybone is under no illusions about the size of the challenge facing him at the European Games, but has insisted a successful outing in Azerbaijan can leave him well placed ahead of next month’s World Championships.

Truro-born Honeybone was Team GB’s sole representative in the men’s sabre at the London 2012 Olympic Games, when he went out of the tournament in the first round. He will again fly the flag in the men’s sabre competition when the fencing action gets underway in Baku today.

The 24-year-old from Truro Fencing Club was the only British fencer to make the last 32 at the recent European Championships in Switzerland, which also doubled up as an Olympic qualifying event.

The next opportunity to boost his Olympic chances will be at fencing’s World Championships in Moscow from July 13 to 19 although, for now, his attention is on demonstrating his talent in the Azeri capital.