BRAVE Kendal Judo Club star Nye Greasley defied flu symptoms to perform superbly to reach the semi-final at the British Judo Association (BJA) National Championships in Sheffield.

His first contest in the competition, which is used by the national squad managers as a way of deciding who should be in the BJA squads, was against Jack Field from Coventry, and the Kendal player secured a chest hold, or Mune Gatame, for the full point halfway through the contest.

This put him up against Michael Van Zyl from Carshalton and a San Gaku hold put Greasley into the semi final of the Under 73 kilo weight group against Caleb Drysdale from Walsall.

This contest went the full distance with Greasley being caught almost as the bell sounded to end the contest for a half point scoring throw.

Although out of the final the Kendal player still had one more contest, this time for a bronze medal, against Pierre Michelin from South Brent, and a half point throw followed with a hold for the other half point gave him a deserved third place spot.

Also competing from Kendal were Lauren Fox and Daisy Schwarzer, both moving up a weight.

Fox was in the Under 52 kilo category, and came out with a bang, throwing Abigail Grant from Pinewood in 23 seconds.

Her next opponent was Ella Hampson from Huddersfield, a bronze medalist in the 2019 Commonwealth Championships, and a hold for the 20 seconds put the Kendal player into the semi-final against Charlotte Jenman from Tonbridge who beat her with a half point throw.

In the bronze medal fight a submission to a Juji Gatame armlock meant that Fox had to be satisfied with fifth place.

The championships was Schwarzer's return to competition judo following a lay off and she started well in the Under 57 kilo category with a hold down halfway through the fight.

Sadly her progress was halted in the next two contests, but her work rate and commitment on her come back was complimented by Kendal's senior coach Mike Liptrot.

Next week Kendal players are travelling to Germany for the last major European Championships of the year in Bremen.