Members of Dartford Judokwai Club produced their customary high standard of performances when competing in the British Closed Championships in Gateshead.

The most prestigious event in the British judo calendar not only attracts the very best entrants and the highest number ever of competitors, but individual category winners also earned the opportunity to train in Japan for two weeks.

In the senior heavyweight 100kg-plus division, Danny Sargeant took the gold medal to hang alongside his three Commonwealth title medals.

Sargeant has now stepped his training in preparation to try and win a fourth title in Manchester this summer.

Another of Dartford's top stars in action in the same category was Robbie Stilwell, the current European heavyweight title-holder at under-20 level. He won a fine bronze.

Danny Luxford finished in fifth place in the under-66kg class, while there were some good displays from Rob New, Mark Fry and Emma Delaney, who fought despite having an injured rib.

In the junior section Adam Bick fought superbly, despite feeling unwell, to win a silver medal to affirm his national ranking.

There was also a silver medal for Alison Wills, while Katy Delaney, who also recently collected Greenwich's Junior Sportswoman of the Year award, took the bronze.

In the under-70kg class, Gemma Gibbons won a splendid silver medal and Naomi James, a member of Dartford's Great Britain Cadets' squad, was fifth.

Paul Cooper was up against a very strong division in his under-66-kg category and came a creditable ninth, while Ryan Bick, Adam's brother, came fifth despite discolating a finger.

If you would like details of Dartford Judokwai Club, call head coach Alan Roberts on 07956 917576.