KENDAL Judo Club enjoyed medal success on both sides of the Atlantic as judokas Josh Barrett and Gavin Towers claimed silver and bronze medals respectively.

Barrett contested the Dutch European Open SN Championships in Amsterdam and claimed victory in the semi-final against the local favourite after utilising an upper four quarters hold for Ippon.

The Kendal player was in the ascendency during the final until his Dutch opponent threw Barrett as the bell sounded, which was dubiously scored as a half point.

Meanwhile, Towers was competing in the Brazilian Grand Prix for visually impaired fighters, losing his opening contest to the eventual gold medallist, France’s Cyril Jonard.

In the repechage, two half point throws – a shoulder throw and a sweeping ankle throw – gave Towers the Ippon he needed to progress to the bronze medal fight.

Facing three-time former Brazilian Jujitsu champion Marco Barbosa, Towers’ constant attacking had his opponent on the defensive and unable to attack.

With Barbosa racking up defensive penalties, the Kendal player secured victory and returned home with the bronze medal.