“I’m at the top.” The day after his third individual Olympic title, Teddy Riner entered a little more into the legend of French sport thanks to a crazy scenario, Saturday August 3, in the final of the mixed team event. After a first victory against the Japanese Tatsuru Saito, the Guadeloupean did it again at the end of an interminable sudden death to offer gold to his team, the heavyweight category having been drawn for the last fight.
With such an apotheosis, it would not be unreasonable to want to hang up at the top of Olympus. But the French judoka does not share this opinion and is already aiming for Los Angeles in 2028, the year he turns 39. “Give me time, but that’s the goal,” he said on Friday to the press, who were already asking him about what would happen next. For now, it’s 2024, I’m going to enjoy it.”
Paris 2024: Teddy Riner, the triumph of an extraordinary champion
Paris 2024: Teddy Riner, the triumph of an extraordinary champion
(France 2)
In his entourage, as among the regulars of the tatami mats, the bet is worth trying. “If the physical aspect doesn’t hold up, it’s over. But as long as it works, why not! If he wants it, he’s right.”said David Douillet, double Olympic champion of the discipline, on France 2 on Friday, after Teddy Riner’s first medal. The latter must undergo a minor operation “to leave with an elbow [droit] in good condition”said Franck Chambily, his historic coach.
“Nothing is impossible with him. He showed this week that he can still go for the win in what are his most accomplished Games. At 35 years old and 140 kilos, he is capable of scoring ippons in an Olympic competition and he had fun”nevertheless recalls the one who left his place at the edge of the mat to Christian Chaumont since Tokyo. “He won All SO I born see not Why he would stop. He East In a dynamic And especially he has the habit of this preparation on a Olympiad now”, assures Emilie Andéol, crowned at Rio 2016 and judo consultant for France Télévisions.
