NATHAN KATZ – GETS TO THE ROUND OF 16 AT CROATIA GRAND PRIX 27TH JULY

Nathan competed in the Croatia Grand Prix in Zagreb on 27th July. This was his first European Grand Prix for the year and with 51 in his division, he had a first round bye taking him to the Round of 32 (R32)against the Van Harten (Netherlands) who had beaten Azinovic (Croatia) in the first round. Van Harten is Dutch Champion, European Open (World Cup) and and 5 times European Cup medalist. Nathan was a little slow in the first half defending strong Seoi-Nage attacks and Ne-Waza and at the half way mark conceded Waza-Ari from Seoi-Nage. Nathan started putting on good gripping pressure with NED conceding a Shido. Nathan’s Ashi-Waza created opportunities and with a minute to go, he scored Waza-Ari off Tai-Otoshi.  1 Waza-Ari each and 2 Shidos to NED took them into Golden Score where Nathan continued with good pressure but conceded Shido from a drop Seoi-Nage.  At 1.5 minutes he dropped in a nice left Ippon-Seoi-Nage for Waza-Ari and took the win. The Round of 16 (R16) match was against Shmailov the #4 World ranked Israeli who is multiple Grand Slam, Grand Prix and IJF Masters medalist. This was a tough match and Nathan did well to avoid the strong clamping left grip and used Ashi-Waza and movement well; however, he could not get in a penetrating attack. With 1m 40s to go and 2 Shidos to 1 down, Nathan attacked with Ouchi-Gari but ISR transitioned to Ne-Waza with Sangaku-Gatame for the hold down and then the strangle for the win. A good attempt by Nathan but still demonstrating the work needed to reach the level of a World top #5 opponent. The win against a top #100 athlete and R16 result gave Nathan valuable World Ranking Points taking him into the Top #50 World ranking without the benefit of this year’s Oceania. Great work!!