Katz brothers both win gold for Australia

Brothers Joshua and Nathan Katz contributed to hosts Australia's haul of 10 gold medals on the opening day of the Oceania Judo Championships at the Sport Combat Centre in Canberra. Joshua beat French Polynesia’s Yvan Shan in the two-competitor men’s under 60 kilograms division, while sibling Nathan overcame New Caledonia’s David Mai in the men’s under 66kg final.

New Caledonia’s Jason Appavou and French Polynesia’s Cedric Delanne took the men’s under 66kg bronze medals.

Jake Bensted was another Australian gold medallist, defeating French Polynesia’s Gaston Lafon in the final of the men’s under 73kg category as New Caledonia’s Flavien Dekoninck and New Zealand’s Adrian Leat completed the podium.

Eoin Coughlan continued the home nation’s impressive form by downing Fiji’s Josateki Naulu in the men’s under 81kg final with New Zealand’s Ivica Pavlinic taking the sole bronze medal on offer.

There was also success for Sebastian Temesi, Duke Didier and Nicolas Berard as Australia claimed a clean sweep of the men’s gold medals today.

Temesi got the better of compatriot Diego De Souza Barreto in the under 90kg final and the pair were joined on the podium by New Zealand’s Tim Brew and Nauru’s Ovini Uera.

Didier saw off the challenge of New Zealand’s Jason Koster to claim top honours in the under 100kg division, while Berard headed an over 100kg podium that also included silver medallist Jeremy Picard of French Polynesia and bronze medallist Jake Andrewartha, another home judoka.

Australia added a further three gold medals in women’s competition, but it wasn’t all plain sailing as New Zealand won three top prizes themselves.

Chloe Rayner beat New Zealand’s Emma Rouse in the under 48kg final, while fellow Aussies Katharina Haecker and Miranda Giambelli overcame compatriots Maeve Coughlan and Melanie Wallis in the respective under 63kg and under 78kg showdowns.

Victories for world number 13 Haecker and world number 20 Giambelli see them take a big stride to Rio 2016 qualification.

New Zealand’s Justine Bishop defeated Australia’s Hannah Trotter to move above her opponent in the women’s under 52kg standings.

The Kiwis’ other gold medals came courtesy of Darcina Manuel, who was victorious against New Caledonia’s Emeline Kaddour in the under 57kg final, and Moira De Villiers, who outdid Australia’s Aoife Coughlan in the under 70kg final.

Fifty competitors from seven countries are taking part at the event in Australia's capital, where significant ranking points for Rio 2016 are available.