European Olympic Training Camp (OTC) Mittersill Austria // Training Munich // Tel Aviv (Israel) Grand Prix //Dusseldorf (Germany) Grand Slam // Dusseldorf Camp // Marrakesh (Morocco) Grand Prix (5th January – 10th March)
- Nathan Katz and Josh Katz – In January’s Newsletter, I reported that the boys departed on 5th January, trained at the OTC Mittersill 7-15 January and then trained at Grosshadern TSV Judo Club in Munich prior to competing in the Tel-Aviv Grand Prix 25 – 27 Jan. Unfortunately Josh injured his knee in Munich and had to withdraw from the Tel-Aviv GP and fly home from Israel, 5 weeks early. Nathan fought in the Tel-Aviv GP 24th January) against the eventual Bronze medalist, Gaitero-Martin (ESP). With a minute 30 to go, 2 Shidos down and having defended Sode attacks and Ne-Waza, there was some good gripping and Ashi-Waza from Nathan but not enough, eventually getting caught on the ground. Nathan stayed in Israel to train electing not to compete in Paris. Nearly a month later Nathan competed in the Dusseldorf GP (22nd Feb), this time against Culljaj (ALB). Defending some very aggressive gripping in the first minute and a half, Nathan found himself 2 Shidos down. At this time, in between dealing with the aggressive gripping, he started to find some form with his own grip control, and Ashi-Waza and Tai-Otoshi attacks. The last exchange was also strong from Nathan but quite unfairly, the referee gave both athletes a Shido which ended the match. Nathan trained at the camp following the competition and is now in Munich preparing for the Morocco GP this Friday 8th March before coming home. We wish him a great competition.