- George Chung
- Jul 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Regarded as one of the greatest judokas in history, Teddy Riner had the prestigious privilege of illuminating the Olympic flame in Paris, a significant moment he shared with fellow Guadeloupean athlete Marie-José Pérec. This occasion represents the peak of Riner's career, as he gears up for what may be his final Olympic participation.
Furthermore, renowned French judo icons Clarisse Agbegnenou and David Douillet were among the last athletes to pass the flame to Riner and Pérec.
Riner's judo journey has been truly exceptional. Born in 1989 in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, he relocated to Paris with his family as an infant. Encouraged by his parents, Riner explored various sports, such as athletics, basketball, football, golf, mountain climbing, squash, and swimming. At the age of 15, he made the pivotal decision to concentrate solely on judo, a choice that would lead him to unparalleled success.
His Olympic achievements are unmatched, with gold medals in the men’s +100 kg category at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, as well as bronze medals at both the 2008 Beijing and 2021 Tokyo Games. Additionally, he clinched gold in the mixed team event at the Tokyo Olympics. Riner's dominance extends to the IJF World Championships, where he has secured eleven titles, the most by any judoka. His victories span from 2007 to 2023, in various cities including Doha, Budapest, Astana, Chelyabinsk, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Tokyo, and Rotterdam.
Riner's preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics has been intense. He participated in five tournaments in 2024, achieving first-place finishes in Dushanbe, Antalya, and Paris. In 2020, his training regimen underwent significant changes, incorporating a new diet and additional stretching exercises to enhance his mobility and recovery. These adaptations have kept him at the peak of his performance as he strives to add another Olympic title to his illustrious career.
Standing at 204 cm, Riner's formidable presence on the tatami is complemented by his technical expertise, with preferred techniques including uchi-mata, o-soto-gari, and harai-goshi. He trains under the guidance of coach Franck Chambily at Paris Saint-Germain Judo, a club that recognized his potential early on.
