SAMURAI Judo Club collected three medals at the Kent International Open including s strong performance from Charis Hancocks.

A former British squad member, Hancocks returned to competition judo earlier this year after four years away. Her first event was the Warwick University Open, where a series of good wins saw her take the gold medal.

Kent was her second event after her return, four maximum point wins in the women’s under 52 kilos category saw her through to the semi-final.

Despite a hand injury sustained in her previous match Hancocks continued her bid to reach the final but was unable to grip her opponent properly.

She lost the match and had to settle for a bronze medal.

Jack Walker in the 66 kilos category had three good wins to reach the semi-final but he was beaten and also collected a bronze.

In the masters Rob Alloway took the gold in his own weight group, under 66 kilos but was unable to repeat the success at under 73 kilos where he finished outside the medals.

The Samurai club hosted a table officials and referees qualification course at the club ,Olivia Turner and Jake Ashen both qualified as recorders.

Ellie McAteer, Mike Parkes, Mark Allen, Martin Allen and Jake Ashen all passed the refereeing theory, Sue Parker revalidated after a number of years away. All the referees will now take the practical exam.