Zagreb (Croatia) Grand Prix 15th -17th July – Josh Katz
- For the first time in a GP event, Josh was seeded #8 but still drew a very tough opponent In Koga (JPN) in his Round of 32 match. Koga had defeated Akkash (IJF) in his previous match. Taking confidence from his match a week before, Josh kept pace with Koga making some strong attacks right and left and almost scoring with a foot sweep. He also had to defend some good attacks by Koga but at just over the 3 minute mark, was clearly frustrating Koga. At that point Koga engaged by clinching in and Josh was just a little slow to react. Koga scored Waza-Ari with Kosoto-Gake and in the final minute Josh laid on some huge pressure to try to level the match. Koga conceded a Shido just before full-time and that’s how the match ended. Koga went on to the Quarter Final which he lost but then won his 2 repechage matches winning a Bronze medal. Again, Josh showed that he is very competitive against a former Junior World Champion and consistent Grand Prix and Grand Slam medallist. For Josh, a medal at this level is imminent.