Josh Katz

Josh Katz secured four consecutive Junior Oceania Championships between 2012 and 2015, alongside Junior National Championships in 2013 and 2014. This strong junior career culminated in his first Senior Oceania title in 2015, which he successfully defended in 2016, earning him automatic qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. At Rio, Katz made history as Australia’s youngest male judoka to compete at an Olympic Games, at 18 years and 220 days, and notably competed alongside his older brother, Nathan Katz, marking the first time two brothers represented Australia in judo at the same Games. Following his Olympic debut, Katz navigated a challenging period marked by injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted his qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.

He made a strong return to the international stage in 2022, earning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. That same year, he also secured a bronze medal at the European Open in Sarajevo and a silver medal at the European Open in Warsaw. He continued his medal streak with a bronze at the Panamerican and Oceania Championships in Lima and was crowned National Champion in 2022. Katz’s consistent performance continued, earning him a silver medal at the Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in 2023.

Leveraging his professional athletic experience and academic background, he and his brother Nathan have established a speaking and mentoring company, engaging audiences on topics of dedication and achievement. As of February 2024, Katz boasts an impressive career record of 11 Oceania titles and 12 Australian titles, underscoring his sustained success and prominence within Australian judo.