Lima (Peru) Grand Prix (11 October) and Lima Pan-American Open (14 October)
- Josh Katz’s first match in the Lima Grand Prix 16 months after his last competition (Paris Olympics) did not go how he wanted it to. Against Yang (USA) the first minute was quite even with Yang using drop seoi-nage and Josh dominating in ne-waza (ground). Disorder then ensued when the referees misinterpreted the situation having reviewed Josh’s turnover. They initially ruled that Josh used kata-sangaku (a head/shoulder) turnover in tachi-waza (standing) and disqualified him; however, moments later a subsequent review cancelled the ruling. Josh took this in his stride and pushed on. 30 seconds later Yang scored waza-ari with seoi-nage and then shido for poor attack. Yang scored yuko again and Josh kept pushing but was just behind the pace and this is how the match ended.
- In the Pan-American Open only 3 days later, as luck would have it, Josh was facing the same opponent in the same venue on the same mat wearing the same judogi, but the cobwebs were clear and this was a new Josh. Josh attacked first but lost his grip and was penalised shido, but he placed Yang under huge pressure and in less than a minute had scored waza-ari with drop tai-otoshi following up with perfect transition to juji-gatame (arm-lock) for the win. In his quarter-final against Rodrigues (Brazil), a fairly even match with a shido each 1.5 minutes in, after which Josh scored yuko with a nicely timed ouchi-gari. A minute later Josh’s persistent groundwork nearly turned on him and he was held down for a yuko. Now even, Josh went back to work systematically working grips and creating opportunities. His ashi-waza almost scored and with seconds remaining Brazil attacked with ouchi-gari and Josh countered with a lovely ouchi-gaeshi for waza-ari for the win. In the semi-final against Condor (PER) Josh pressured with gripping and ouchi, seoi-nage and tai-otoshi attacks. Halfway through he was up 2 shidos to 1 and still attacking strongly. Nearly 2m in Golden score, he executed a strong turnover to a hold-down for the win. In the first minute of the final against Christodoulides (CYP), Josh’s kouchi was countered for yuko. A strong ouch-gari followed from Josh with good attacking groundwork. At the halfway mark with sleeve on sleeve grip, CYP attacked with sumi-gaeshi for waza-ari. Josh had to push and CYP caught him again this time with drop sode for the win. Disappointed with the last match and the Silver but happy that he was able to put together some good performances after the Grand Prix and after a good preparation, this outcome was a good boost for confidence that we are on track. Well done to Josh and national coach Nathan.
Cadet (U/18) European Cups and Camps, 22Oct – 14Nov25
- Wishing Lochlan Cook all the best in his upcoming cadet competitions and camps in Slovenia and Hungary as part of the national cadet tour. He leaves on Wednesday 22 October.
Senior Gold Coast Oceania Open, 1-2Nov25
- Clarissa Vumbaca and Josh Katz will be competing at the Oceania Gold Coast in 2 weeks’ time and Nathan will be one of the 3 National Coaches. We look forward to being there to support them.
World Kata Championships, 9Nov25
- Bianca and Bernhard Tandean will participate at the World Kata Championships to be held in Paris, France. Dale Keogh is the Coach and Franz Tandean the Manager. All the best to you guys for this event.
Junior (U/21) European Cups and Camps, 22-29Nov25
- There is also another Junior trip planned this year with competitions and camps in Montenegro and Slovenia. Selections are still to be made and we are likely to have some representation there.
Hong Kong Senior Asian Open 22-23 Nov25
- Josh’s fourth international competition in 6 weeks will be in held in Hong Kong in just over a month and that will be his final competition for the year.