A SUPER karate gran took on the world's best and won a bronze medal for her efforts in a world championship.

Glenis Livesley, from Lowton, fought competitors 20 years her junior in the GKR World Cup in Birmingham but still managed to finish third in the over 45 female 6 kyu to 4 kyu -- the green to red belt category.

And the 63-year-old green belt was dubbed "super gran" by her two grandchildren, Robert, 12, and Sarah, 8, who also competed in the event.

Glenis told the Journal: "It was an absolutely fantastic day. There were competitors from Australia and New Zealand there as well as England. And when we went out representing England and walked out into the arena, there was a massive cheer from the crowd -- it was an electric atmosphere. I've never seen so many competitors at a single tournament before. It was a great experience for me.

"It was a very tough competition, the Australians were really impressive. I had four fights in total and against people who were all younger than me. The woman who I fought in the bronze fight decider had won the National Championships last time, so I was over the moon to eventually win that decider and the bronze medal.

"It's the first time that the GKR World Cup has been held in this country, so it was extra special for me to get that bronze medal."