World University Games – Taipei Taiwan 19th - 30th August – I mentioned previously that Naomi de Bruine has been selected to the 2017 Summer Universiade. She leaves next week and we wish her well.Josh – Berlin Junior European Cup and Training Camp – 29th July – 2nd August In the last Newsletter, I also mentioned Josh Katz and Cameron Leishman who had been training at Camberley Judo Club and on their results in Paks Hungary (15 – 16 July) and Prague Czech Republic (22 – 23 July). Cam returned home after the Prague camp, benefitting greatly from the experience. Josh continued the campaign in Berlin, at arguably the premier Junior European event for 2017. There were 51 athletes in Josh’s division and his first round was against Denmark. He started well almost scoring with Sode with good ne-waza transition. Half way through the match another good transition resulted in a submission from strangle and the win. Second round against Germany had his Morote Seoinage and Ashi Waza working well and another good transition to his favourite Akimoto roll and the hold-down for Ippon. In the round of 16, he drew the 2017 Senior Pan American Continental Champion from Brazil. Early in the match his Morote attack was countered for Waza-Ari and he spent the rest of the match chasing down the defensive Brazilian. Two Shidos to BRA and then Josh’s tenacity really paid off as he turned BRA’s defence into Ouchi Gari for Ippon in literally the last second of the match. His QF was against Russia, the 2017 Russian Junior European Cup Champion. This was a great match with Josh getting in very well with a couple of drop Morote Seoinages. He did well to defend Juji Gatame but needed a medical break for nose bleed which gave RUS some much needed recovery. In the next exchange Josh’s Kouchi was countered for Waza-Ari. Another medical break was needed and Josh kept pushing very hard but couldn’t level the score. Repechage match with the Italian Junior European Cup champion from Israel and did not go as planned. The Israeli was far more aggressive than in his previous match. Getting caught early Waza-Ari with Sode, Josh couldn’t find his rhythm. Scores from Uchimata and Laats caused more frustration and with less than a minute remaining he was caught for Ippon. 5 matches, 4 very good performances, 3 wins, a 9th place in Berlin and a hard day at the office. Great work. No doubt, more to come.2 weeks later and the boys have continued their Senior Worlds preparation at Camberley. Nathan is currently training at the German team preparation camp in Cologne Germany whilst Josh stayed in Camberley to continue his preparation. We wish them well in their next 2 weeks of final preparation.