A KARATE kid has sailed into the finals of a national competition despite suffering from a crippling illness.

Courageous Daniel Palmer, 12, is hypomobile, which makes him double-jointed but also puts massive strain on his muscles.

But he battled through the pain to become a blue belt at Clacton's GKR Karate Club.

Now Daniel has fought his way into the national championships at Sheffield's Ponds Forge centre next week and the GKR World Cup next summer in Liverpool, where he will compete with youngsters from around the globe.

Mum Katrina said: “He’s been doing karate for two years.

“We used to live in Spain and when we came back he decided he wanted to take it up again, so he joined his local club and has gone on from there. The only way to overcome his illness is through exercise.”

Katrina added: “If he exercises too much, it hurts and can cause an injury so it’s like a vicious circle.

“When he is training, his leg swells up so it looks like he has two sets of kneecaps.

“He has to apply cold packs before, during and after training.

“But he loves karate so much and is so dedicated to it."

Clacton County High pupil Daniel scooped gold and bronze medals at a recent tournament to qualify for the national and world championships.

His hypomobility does have some advantages.

“Daniel can do the splits without blinking an eye,” said Katrina, of Totlands Drive. “Some of the things he can do are quite scary. He may grow out of it, but it may be something he just has to live with.”