Cadet World Championships (Zagreb Croatia) 23-27Aug23 – Bianca Tandean
- Bianca’s first match was against Bielawska (POL). She started each exchange well with good fighting spirit and a willingness to attack. Pressure came from Kouchi, Ouchi and Tai-Otoshi attacks. POL attacked less often but with penetrating Seoinages and Tai-Otoshis. Just over half way POL dropped for a left Ippon scoring Waza-Ari after which Bianca had to defend in Ne-Waza. Bianca continued to apply pressure but the experience of POL showed and this is how the match ended. The Australian Team was fortunate to be able to contest the teams event and they drew Lithuania. Bianca had to fight up a weight division against Kuchar who had just won a Bronze medal in the individual 63kg division. Another good effort from Bianca, in the second minute attacking strongly with Sasae and following up well on the floor. Another strong attack from Bianca with Tai-Otoshi was followed by Osoto from LTU which Bianca tried to counter. This resulted in Waza-Ari to LTU and Bianca landed in the hold down to end the match. A very solid effort for Bianca against a quality opponent.
Cadet Pan-American-Oceania Continental Championships (Calgary Canada) 7-13Sep23
- – Bianca Tandean
- Congratulations to Budokan Cadet Bianca Tandean on winning a Silver medal in the Cadet U/57kg division at the Pan-American-Oceania Continental Championships. In the QF against MEX, just prior to the last minute and 1 Shido down, Bianca made a strong Tai-Otoshi attack and when MEX defended it, Bianca converted it backwards scoring Waza-Ari for the win. In the SF against CAN, Bianca gave good pressure throughout with Tai-Otoshi and Sasae attacks and groundwork transition. 2 Shidos to 1 ahead going toward full-time saw Bianca attacking with a strong Kouchi-Gake for Ippon. In the final against BRA, Bianca held her own in the first minute although had to defend some attacks. A minute into the match saw BRA attacking with a strong Kouchi-Gake scoring Waza-Ari which she transitioned to Ne-Waza and scored Ippon with Juji-Gatame. A solid overall performance from Bianca. Well done. Congrats also to Budokan Head Junior Coach Kerrye as National Cadet Coach for this team.
Senior Pan-American Oceania Continental Championships (Calgary Canada) 15-17Sep23 – Nathan and Josh Katz
- Josh Katz. Josh’s first match in the U/60kg division against Cuba lasted 3 minutes and ended with Ippon from Osae-Komi (hold down). His second match against Brazil went over a minute into Golden score at which time Josh executed a lovely Kouchi-Gari for Wazari taking him to the final. So Josh had to work hard but clearly deserved to make the final where he battled with his second Brazilian opponent of the day. Getting caught early for Wazari meant Josh had to really get on his bike and he almost scored with a strong Sode. But it wasn’t to be and he had to settle for Silver. With high expectations, Josh was very disappointed not to win the final. Congratulations and well done.
- Nathan Katz. Nathan drew the Canadian in his first match in the U/66kg division. Both athletes fought to impose their attacks for the whole match, perhaps with Nathan only slightly behind the pace in the second half. This saw them going into Golden score with Nathan one Shido down, so still anyone’s match. In the first exchange, Nathan attempted a spinning Tai-Otoshi which was unfortunately well anticipated and countered by the Canadian who scored Wazari. Although the Canadian went on to win the Gold medal this was no consolation for Nathan. Nathan spent the rest of the day getting behind Josh and helped him from match to match which was wonderful. It was also great that Kerrye was able to stay after the Cadet and Junior event a week before, to support the boys.
- As is the case for all their competitions, both boys put everything on the line at this event, with near perfect preparation. Yet the margins are slim and sometimes the years of effort, commitment, skill and grit pay off and sometimes they don’t in terms of result. This can be very difficult to rationalise and requires enormous resolve, belief and support to come back with a greater force to be able to take on the next challenge. We congratulate both boys on their great fighting spirit and their mettle. As their father and their personal coach, as always I am enormously proud of my boys, medal or no medal.
2023 Heydar Aliyev Baku Grand Slam (22Sep23) – Unfortunately, Nathan had to withdraw from the U/66kg division before the Draw due to injury and we wish him well in his recovery.
- Josh Katz
- In the Round of 32, Josh fought #6 Seed and WRL15 Valadier-Picard (FRA). He had a perfect first exchange with aggressive and positive gripping and a strong urgency resulting in a well-timed drop left Eri-Seoinage. This took FRA to his knees and Josh followed up efficiently with fast groundwork transition. Strangely, and although attacking, he was only given 6 seconds before Matte was called. In the next exchange, Josh used Ashi-Waza well before FRA attacked with a drop Morote Seoinage. Josh defended the throw well but found himself also defending in groundwork for a staggering 45 seconds ending with a submission from Juji-Gatame. Josh was very disappointed knowing that he could have made a strong match, and was annoyed that he gave FRA the opportunity, but also acknowledged FRA’s tenacity on the ground. FRA went on to win the Bronze. Again, the margins at this level are very small.