JUDO: Australian judoka Nathan Katz has gone down in the closest of encounters in the opening round of the -66kg division.

Fighting Morrocco’s Imad Bassou, Katz matched it with the African champion for the majority of the clash as both fighters couldn’t get onto the scoreboard.

Entering the final minute Katz had the advantage with Bassou accruing three shido penalties to Katz's one. If the match finished level then the fighter with the least penalties would have taken the win.

With 47 seconds on the clock Katz remained aggreessive and Bassou countered well to fling Katz to the mat. The Morrocan appeared to take the win by Ippon before the ruling was revised to give Bassou a single point (yuko) and Katz remained alive.

The 21-year-old from Sydney continued to be the aggressor but was unable to find the point needed to secure the win. 

The result comes a day after Nathan’s brother Josh hit the mat as the duo became the nation’s first brothers to compete in Olympic judo competition.

The judo competition continues tomorrow with Aussie Jake Bensted featuring in the men’s -73kg divison.

Matt Bartolo

olympics.com.au