At 32, French judoka Teddy Riner assures us that he is “without pressure” at the very beginning of his preparation for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but does not hide that he dreams of winning “the most beautiful of medals” his home.
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he began his first major training session abroad on Friday after a six-month break after the Tokyo Games, the ten-time world champion confided in an interview to AFP that he wanted “above all have fun».
In Paris, he is aiming for his third individual Olympic gold medal. Last year, in Japan, he was content with individual bronze, before participating in the team victory for France.
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How do you feel at the start of preparation for the 2024 Olympics which will take place at home in Paris?
«It’s wonderful to think that we are training, that we are starting to prepare and that this time, it will be in Paris! There will be all my family, all my friends in the stadium. It will be like an extra lung. But I am under no pressure. I especially want to have a lot of fun in this last competition.»
How is the recovery going after this six-month break?
«We are in the right tempo, we did what was necessary upstream and we are going to show crescendo. I fully resumed training at the beginning of January, as planned, but this is really the starting point, the first big internship abroad.»
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Did you keep in shape during the cut? How many pounds have you gained?
«It went up to 154, 156 kg. I was still careful and there, on the course, we are already at 148, 149 kg, ten more than at the time of the Tokyo Games (his ideal weight is around 140 kg, Ed). During the six months following the games, I continued the physical preparation, I continued to train, so suddenly we are well.»
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