=

  Part- 341:

  Greez anticipated the attack, but James’s sheer speed caught him off guard. With a grunt, Greez found himself airborne for a split sed before smming onto the mat with a loud thud. The crowd erupted into cheers, but the match wasn’t over yet—Greez was quick to recover.

  James knew he had to act fast. As Greez started to roll to his feet, James dropped low a for a *kata-gatame* (shoulder hold), log his oppo’s upper body in a tight grip. The hold was firm, but Greez fought back with expert teique, shifting his weight just enough to break free.

  The two fighters disengaged, both breathing heavily now. For a moment, they stood still, sizing each other up, her willing to give an inch. Greez’s smile returhough now it carried a hint of respect.

  “Not bad,” Greez said, straightening his stance slightly. “You’re better than I expected.”

  James gave a small nod in aowledgment. “You too.”

  The match resumed, and this time, both fighters gave it everything. Greez aimed for a lightning-fast sweep, but James tered with a feint, making it seem like he was going for a throw before shifting into a takedown.

  In a blur of motion, James capitalized on a brief moment of imbance. He grabbed Greez’s colr with both hands and pulled with all his strength, lifting him off the ground in a textbook *ura-nage* (rear throw). The impact was thunderous, and this time, Greez didn’t get back up right away.

  The referee’s whistle blew, signaling the end of the match. The crowd exploded with appuse, reizing the brilliance of the fight. James stood reez, breathing hard but triumphant. He reached out his hand, to help the veteran to his feet.

  Greez accepted the hand with a wide grin. “That was a damn good fight,” he said as James pulled him up. “It’s been a long time sineone’s pushed me like that.”

  “Same here,” James replied, his chest still heaving from exertion. “You’ve got incredible skill.”

  Greez ughed, brushing some dust off his gi. “Skill only gets you so far. You’ve got heart, brother. And strength to back it up.”

  James gave a modest smile, feeling a sense of pride—not just from the victory, but from the respect shared between two fighters. Greez wasn’t just an oppo; he was a fellow martial artist, someone who fought not out of pride or malice, but for the love of the sport.

  “Keep training,” Greez said, g James on the shoulder. “You’ll go far.”

  “You too,” James replied, appreciating the siy in the man’s words.

  The two bowed deeply to each other, a gesture of mutual respect that transded victory or defeat. As Greez walked off the mat, James watched him go, feeling both humbled and inspired. There was something to be learned from every oppo, and today, Greez had taught him the importance of skill, humility, and respect.

  As James returo his team, he khe road ahead wouldn’t get any easier. But this match had reignited something within him—a remihat victory wasn’t just about strength or stats. It was about strategy, respect, and stantly striving to improve.

  With a final g Greez, who gave him a nod from the sidelines, James smiled.