Nathan Katz (born 17 January 1995) is a retired Australian Olympic and five-time national champion judoka, and current judo coach.
Early and personal life Katz was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is Jewish."Nathan Katz," Budokan Judo Club. Katz's mother is former judoka Kerrye Katz who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics, when judo was a demonstration event for women, and came in seventh; she also won the 1985 Oceania Judo Championship in U66k, and 11 Australian national championships."Kerrye Katz," Judo Inside."Kerrye Katz," Olympedia.org. His father Robert was a former judoka on the Australian national team and a national judo coach for Australia at both the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics.Air Vongxayasy (5 September 2022). "The Katz family has a long lasting judo history," Judo Inside."Nathan Katz," commonwealthgames.com.Shane Desiatnik (22 June 2017). "Katz brothers’ judo journey," The Australian Jewish News.
His younger brother Josh Katz also competed for Australia in judo at the Rio Olympics; he also competed at the Paris Olympics. The two brothers were training partners since they were children.Sam Kestenbaum (12 July 2016). "2 Jewish Brothers Have ‘Judo in Their Blood’ — and They’re Headed to Olympics," The Forward. He graduated from William Clarke College."Two brothers headed to Rio," Australian Jewish News.
Judo career Katz was a 2x Cadet Australian National Champion, and a 5x Australian National Champion.
Katz qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics due to his having been Oceania champion in 2015 and 2016. He was ranked number 1 in the 2015 IJF World Ranking for juniors U66kg. In 2022 he underwent knee surgery."Australia's most passionate judo dad," Olympics.com.au.
Katz competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's 66 kg event, in which he was eliminated in the second round by Imad Bassou.
Katz started his 2020 Tokyo men's 66 kg event in the round of 32 against Juan Postigos of Peru, winning seconds before golden score with a stunning left-drop seoinage. In the round of 16, He fought Baruch Shmailov of Israel who he ended up losing to. Shmailov went on to fight for bronze.
He won a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. It was his first competition in six months, as he had been injured."Katz Duo Capture Bronze Medals," Hills To Hawkesbury News.
He retired from competition in October 2023."Nathan Katz says farewell to competitive judo," Judo Inside, 17 October 2023. He is now his brother's training partner and coach."Paris 2024 Preview: Judo," Olympics.com.
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