Training in Japan. The December newsletter reported on Nathan Katz and Kyle McIndoe’s training at Tsukuba University in Japan from 14th November. Nathan’s competition result at the Tokyo Grand Slam was also provided. After the competition, Nathan and Kyle participated in the international training camp and Kyle returned home on the 8th December. Nathan stayed for a second camp and returned home 14th December, ending his month-long training/competition block.
Portugal World Cup (Men). Nathan and Josh Katz just competed (4th Feb) in the Odivelas (Portugal) European Cup, the first European-based World Cup for 2017. This was Josh’s first weight-making event since the Rio Olympics and since coming back from his knee injury. Both boys have begun the year with a training block at Camberley Judo Club from 29th December followed by the very challenging Olympic Training Camp (OTC) at Mittersill in the Austrian Alps 7th to 17th January and then back to Camberley.
Josh – Round 1. 25yo Garbacik from Poland. A good-measured pace saw Josh ahead by Shido to Golden Score where he forced another Shido for the win. Round of 16 was against the 26yo Georgian Brolashvili, former Grand Slam top 5 and 7; Josh was moving well and GEO was surprised by the opportunity taken by Josh in a well-executed transition. This was pursued with tenacity despite huge defence attempts and almost put the GEO unconscious with the strangle in under 40 seconds. Quarter Final was against 2014 Junior World Champion and 2016 Grand Slam Gold medalist Garrigos from Spain. Josh fought well here despite the unorthodox sumi-gaeshi style of his opponent and imposing left gripping. Josh succumbed to 2 waza-aris but in the process used good gripping and footwork nearly tripping up his opponent and defended well on the ground. With little recovery time after a tough match, repechage was against Cadet World medalist and Senior World Cup Bronze Verstraeten from Belgium. Josh looked good in this match and as the match progressed built confidence putting BEL under pressure. With 45 seconds remaining and only 1 Shido down, Josh pushed forward but BEL used a nice Sasae chop and Yoko Otoshi combination catching Josh – overall a great effort for 7th place with BEL getting Bronze and Spain the Gold.
Nathan – Round 2. 29yo Puero Rican (PUR) Miranda who until late last year competed in 73s achieving multiple World and European Cup medals. Miranda’s pace was not high and Nathan could have pushed him more but was never threatened. Down 2 Shidos to 1 going into Golden Score, Nathan started to really put PUR under pressure with Uchimatas, Seois, Ashi-Waza and good mat positioning. In over 3 minutes of GS, there is no question that PUR should have been penalized twice more putting him out but the referee did not see it that way. An opportunity for an attack by Nath resulted in PUR’s arm getting caught in the process and was ruled a DQ. Whilst accidental this was not an unreasonable decision under the rules; however, it was frustrating that the match should not have progressed to that stage. Disappointing for Nathan but that’s Judo. Looking forward to Josh returning on Tuesday for ACT and QLD Open’s which he now has to fight to qualify for Oceania, an unquestionably ridiculous situation which cuts this trip by 2 months.
Bulgaria World Cup (Women). Naomi trained in the Netherlands including a training camp in Rotterdam prior to participating in the Olympic Training Camp (OTC) at Mittersill in the Austrian Alps 7th to 17th January and then to Germany prior to the competition. In the Round of 16, Naomi fought former Junior World medalist and multiple senior European cup medalist Ausma from Netherlands. Naomi was very active in this match but had difficulty with the top grip from her taller opponent. She did well defending on the ground but at the half-way point had conceded 2 Shidos, so stepped up a gear putting Ausma under some pressure. Again the top grip prevented the attacks from penetrating. With 40 seconds remaining, Omi was caught with Osoto and defended well but seemed to hurt her shoulder in the process. The shoulder seemed to prevent her from gripping and in the next exchange was caught with Ouchi Gari and held down. Ausma went on to win the Bronze. Naomi returns home 7th February, ending her 6 week training/competition block.
Japan Camp. Kyle McIndoe, Cameron Leishman, and Emma Leishman were selected for the National Junior training camp at Tokiwa High School in Saitama Japan from 15th to 28th January. Unfortunately Kyle had university commitments and Emma has not yet recovered sufficiently from her surgery to cope with this training. So Cameron participated and enjoyed and thrived on the challenge of high-volume training.
Well done to all our Budokan international competitors.