Bronze for the Katz brothers at the Commonwealth Games
Josh and Nathan Katz have earned bronze medals in judo at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Australia’s Nathan Katz (left) and Joshua Katz pose with their medals after on Day 4 of the XXII Commonwealth Games at Coventry Stadium in Birmingham, England, Monday, August 1, 2022. (AAP Image/James Ross)
Josh Katz defeated Zambia’s Simon Zulu to claim bronze in the men’s 60kg.
Katz, 24, was a pre-tournament favourite, but a semi-final loss to England’s Ashley McKenzie, the eventual gold medallist, relegated him to a bronze-medal fight.
He quickly seized control against Zulu and won in three minutes and 48 seconds by Ippon, sealing the deal with an excellent seoi nage.
“I was here for gold but I’m still excited to come away with a medal for Australia,” he said.
Nathan Katz claimed a hard-fought victory by Ippon with Tai-otoshi over Jasleen Singh Saini in the men’s 66kg.
Six seconds before the golden score, Katz got the inside grip on Saini and then flung him squarely onto his back before punching the air in delight.
Katz, 27, made the bronze-medal match via repechage victory over Wales’ Gregg Varey after losing his quarter-final against Cyprus’ Georgios Balarjishvili.
“I hadn’t fought in about six months, I’ve been injured just constantly,” he said.
“I hadn’t won a match before today since Tokyo 12 months ago so there was a lot of pressure to perform and show that I’m still at this level.
“I don’t really think I did that (perform) today but I did show that I’m at this level and I can win medals internationally, so I’m really happy.”
The Katz siblings are the sons of Kerrye Katz, who competed for Australia when women’s judo was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Nathan Katz of Australia (top) and Jean Michel Vidot of Seychelles compete during the Men’s 66kg Elimination Round during Day 4 of the XXII Commonwealth Games at Conventry Stadium in Birmingham, England, Monday, August 1, 2022. (AAP Image/James Ross
Father Rob Katz is their coach.
The brothers were raised in Sydney but moved to Melbourne to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.
AAP
Well done boys.