2023-11-11 06:36:40
In just two months in 2017, Teddy Riner made his name in history. At the beginning of September, the Guadeloupean won his ninth title. Then, five weeks later, on November 11, the most successful judoka in history distinguished himself at the World Championships in all categories, thus signing his tenth world title.
Pre-fight ritual: final pat on the weak and firm hand of Eden, her three-year-old son, then Teddy Riner takes the direction of the central tatami for the final of the World Championships in all categories. At the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, this November 11, 2017, in the early evening, the Guadeloupean has an appointment with history.
The native of Pointe-à-Pitre walks towards “Décima”. The West Indian colossus of 2.03m and 141.3kg intends to enter the very closed circle of legendary athletes and teams, such as Rafael Nadal, ten times winner at Roland Garros, and Real Madrid ten times victorious in the Champions League.
All the lights are green. Teddy is sharp following his ninth world gold medal, obtained five weeks earlier in Budapest. No time to savor the 9th crown. On the highest step of the podium, the West Indian is already looking towards “Décima”.
The ultimate goal at the end of the season, the tenth world title, sounds like the accomplishment of his career.
Mémosports- Teddy Riner • ©Outre-mer la 1ère
The flag bearer of the French team at the Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro in 2016, can be preserved for more than twelve months. He did not compete in any official fight before his ninth World Championships. At 28, following 11 years in the elite, he knows how to save his body to achieve major goals. The Paris Saint-Germain Judo star has been undefeated for seven years. On September 13, 2010, in the final of the All Categories World Championships in Tokyo, by decision of the referees, he lost his fight once morest the Japanese Daiki Kamikawa. Teddy experiences defeat like an illness.
To his great surprise, his family came in large numbers to support him. Between 65 and 70 people, his son Eden, his parents, grandparents, godfather, godmother and close friends made the trip. Everyone who matters to him is there to encourage him.
Mémosports- Teddy Riner • ©Outre-mer la 1ère
Judokas of all sizes can compete. The Guadeloupean’s stature and incredible mobility are his best assets. He first dismisses the Kyrgyz by an uchimata Iurii Krakovetskii, fight won in the last seconds of the golden score. In the second round, the Georgian Guram Tuchichvili whom he barely beat in the semi-final at the World Championships in Budapest, two months earlier, established himself as one of the most serious opponents. The double Olympic heavyweight champion (2012 and 2016) and nine-time world champion successively defeats Tuchichvili and the Tunisian See Jaballah by waza-ari. In the round of 16, he eliminated the Mongol Temuulen Battulga by ippon. In the semi-final, he defeated the Cuban Andy Granda, with a golden score thanks to a waza-ari.
The difference in size is striking in the final. The Belgian Toma Nikiforov weighs almost 40 kilos less. Teddy places a waza-ari, 23 seconds following the kick-off, then a second following 2 minutes, halfway through the fight. It leads to points. His supporters recite loudly and powerfully the last ten seconds. The tribune exults. First he raises his arms to the sky. Then he drops to his aching knees. With an almost mechanical gesture, he brandished his ten fingers in reference to Decima, facing his supporters and his son Eden. This is the second time that the Guadeloupean judoka has won the title of World Champion in all categories.
©Franck Fife / AFP
Its first consecration dates back a decade. In 2007, he was crowned the youngest men’s World Champion. His last distinction dates from 2023, in Doha, where he obtained his 11th crown as World Champion of + 100 kg. With his 18 titles, 11 world, 5 European and two Olympic, Olympic mixed team champion 2O21, he dominates the judo world.
In this exceptional list, only the bronze medal in Tokyo in 2021 sounds like a disappointment. Currently on an internship in Japan, he is preparing for the 2024 Games. Teddy Riner currently has only one goal: to win his third individual Olympic crown at the Paris Olympics. To date, only Japanese judoka Tadahiro Nomura in less than 60 kg has achieved this feat.
Interview Teddy Riner 10 times World Champion • ©Outre-Mer la1ere
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