Josh finds pride through pain in Paris | Australian Olympic Committee

Josh Katz said he was disappointed his Paris Olympic judo campaign was over after the opening day, but it wouldn’t diminish the incredible effort it took just to make it to his second Games.

Italian Andrea Carlino eliminated the 26-year-old from NSW in the men's -60kg event at Champ-de-Mars Arena, eight years after his Olympic debut in Rio.

He missed the Tokyo Games in 2021, suffered a broken leg, and had shoulder surgery in 2022 and 2023. His bid for Paris was also threatened by a knee injury he sustained at the beginning of this year.

“I’m just disappointed; it was very difficult to get here,” Josh said.

“I did everything I possibly could in preparation. It was very difficult with the injury.

“I felt really good all throughout the match; I just made a little mistake at the end.

“Fight one on day one of the Olympics; it’s a little bit crazy that it’s all over after so long.”

Australians Katharina Haecker will be in action in the women’s -63kg class on 30 July and Aoife Coughlan in the women’s -70kg group on 31 July.

Reece Homfray