PLYMOUTH judo star Cordeila Gregory sensationally overcame a dislocated shoulder to claim a sixth British title.

She took victory in the junior women’s open weight category at the national championships held at the EIS in Sheffield.

And, not to be out-done, her brother and fellow Drake Judo Club member Max Gregory produced an impressive performance to win a British silver medal in his first senior competition.

However, the manner of Cordeila’s victory was quite extraordinary.

Due to Covid she had not competed or trained properly in 18 month. It meant she had to move out of her usual weight group of under-78kg and into the open weight category where she was one of the lightest competitors.

But, despite low expectations, she won three fights in a row to progress through to the final where she met Chloe Baker.

Yet at the beginning of the contest she dislocated her shoulder but somehow managed to manoeuvre it back into place. However, it meant she could not perform to her strengths and had to go on the defensive.

But she brilliantly countered her opponent and then held her down for the win, despite clearly being in pain.

The following day her brother, Max, impressed in his first senior competition.

His first fight in the under-100 category was against the current British champion and the athlete he lost to in the last British final, but showing his improvement since then, two massive throws sent the Drake Judo Club star into the next round.

In the semi-final he had another tricky opponent who was again dispatched quickly.  In the final he faced fellow full-time judo athlete and fellow European Cup medallist Rhys Thompson who just got the better of Max.

But to take a silver medal in his first senior competition was a major achievement for the former Plymstock School pupil.