A CUT NOSE denied Storth kick-boxer Craig Mingay's attempt to capture a bronze medal at the World Kick-Boxing Championships in the splendid setting of the isle of Corfu.

Craig was representing England on his international debut at the championships, which attracted teams from 52 nations and was being monitored by the International Olympic Committee as a potential addition to the next Games.

The 22-year-old care worker was in tip-top form to fight his way through to the quarter-finals of the U76kg competition.

A medal looked in his grasp when he beat a Russian, but his opponent's team lodged an official complaint about the refereeing decisions, and a rematch the following day was ordered.

Craig suffered a bloody nose in the second fight and the bout was terminated, rather prematurely he felt, inside the regulation two minutes that competitors are given to recover from such blows.

The stoppage meant he finished joint fifth with another England team-mate.

Craig said: "I went into the World Championships with an open mind but no real expectations.

"I was gutted not to get third place, but to come fifth was still beyond what I thought would happen and it shocked me how far I went.

"It was a fantastic experience and it opens all sorts of doors in the sport."

Craig, who is a member of the crack Liverpool Predators team, receives automatic selection for England to go to the European Championships in Scotland this October, and is looking forward to further success at the sport.