Teddy Riner made a successful return to competition.
The Frenchman won the gold medal in the +100 kg category at the Paris Grand Slam Judo 2023 this Sunday, February 5. It was his first appearance on the world circuit since July 2022. After being sidelined for several months due to a sprained ankle, the five-time Olympic medalist has reason to be reassured.
He had a full day at the Arena Bercy with five successes in as many fights. The 33-year-old judoka was dominant with two ippon victories, a well-negotiated golden score in the quarterfinals and two fights, including the final, won by raising his opponent’s penalties. This is how he beat the Japanese Ota Hyoga to win his seventh gold medal in Paris, the first since 2013.
“It’s fun, now I know there’s still a lot of work to do. It’s nice to come back after an injury, to win at home, to win points, to gain information about opponents. Step by step, we continue to prepare the Paris 2024 Olympic Games “, reacted Teddy Riner on The Channel The Team.
Sixth victory for Audrey Tcheuméo at the Paris Grand Slam Judo, Romane Dicko in bronze
France finished the Paris Grand Slam Judo 2023 in first place in the medal standings. The tricolor delegation won eleven medals, four of which were gold.
In addition to Teddy Riner, Blandine Bridge, Priscilla Gneto et Audrey Tcheuméo climbed to the top step of the podium at the Arena Bercy. The latter won in Paris for the sixth time in her career by dominating her compatriot Chloé Buttigieg finally.
Reigning world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, Romane Dicko had to settle for the bronze medal. The +78 kg was beaten in the quarterfinals by Kayra Sayit. The 23-year-old judoka was undefeated on the world circuit of judo since the final of the 2022 edition of the Paris Grand Slam against Asahina Sarah. She was accompanied on the podium in her category by another Frenchwoman: Julia Tolofua.
READ ALSO – How to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in judo
The summary of Teddy Riner’s day at the Paris Grand Slam Judo 2023
- 1er tour : Exempt
- 2e tour : Teddy Riner bat Azamat Chotchaev (BRN)
Teddy Riner’s entry into the Paris Grand Slam Judo 2023 is successful. He won his first fight against Azamat Chotchaev by scoring ippon on uchi-mata (leg movement) after less than 30 seconds.
- 3e tour: Teddy Riner bat Adil Orazbayev (KAZ)
Teddy Riner continues. He spends a little more time on the mat but the outcome is the same against Adil Orazbayev: a projection on uchi-mata counted ippon.
- Quart de finale : Teddy Riner beat Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE)
Teddy Riner needs a golden score to defeat Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov and advance to the last four of the Paris Grand Slam Judo 2023. The five-time Olympic medalist scores waza-ari on o-soto-gari (backward mowing) after 4 min 30 of fight.
- Semi-final: Teddy Riner vs. Alisher Yusupov (UZB)
The fight is very lively between Alisher Yusupov and Teddy Riner. The first mark is for the Uzbek, but his waza-ari is canceled because he did not pass through the fundamental guard before attacking. The PSG judoka responds well by countering a shoulder movement from his opponent to mark waza-ari but the referee also cancels this mark. The fight is finally played on penalties. Teddy Riner speaks about his experience to disqualify a fighter who could have caused him problems in hand-to-hand combat.
- Finale: Teddy Riner – Ota Hyoga
Teddy Riner finishes the Paris Grand Slam Judo on the top step of the podium. The Frenchman physically dominates Ota Hyoga and wins the final by increasing his opponent’s penalties.
READ ALSO – All about judo vocabulary
