Facing Teddy Riner in a decisive match for the gold medal in the team judo tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Japanese athlete Tatsuru Saito appeared totally dejected after his defeat against the French colossus.
IN SHORT
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Since the launch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, several French athletes, including Léon Marchand and Teddy Riner, have left their mark on the competition.
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Teddy Riner, after failing in Tokyo, won his third Olympic title by beating South Korean Kim Min-Jong in the individual final.
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Find out how Teddy Riner gave France another gold medal by beating Tatsuru Saito in the deciding match in the team final.
Since the launch of the 2024 Olympic Games, several French athletes have left their mark on the competition. We can notably mention swimmer Léon Marchand. Indeed, the latter won four gold medals and a bronze medal in swimming. For his part, Teddy Riner also became a legend during this Olympics..
After failing to win his third Olympic title at the Tokyo Olympics three years earlier, the French champion was out for revenge. Determined to win in front of his home crowd, Teddy Riner was only aiming for gold this year. After qualifying for the final of the individual competition, he defeated his South Korean opponent Kim Min-Jong.
2024 Olympics: Teddy Riner was uncompromising with his opponents during the competition
Teddy Riner has finally become triple Olympic Judo champion. He then went on to seek a second gold medal in the team tournament, along with the rest of the French delegation. Once again, Les Bleus reached the final of the competition. During the intermediate rounds, the french colossus was notably confronted with a judoka weighing 60 kg less than him.
Finally, France faced its biggest rival in the discipline, Japan. While Teddy Riner beat his opponent Tatsuru Saito, the rest of the French team found themselves in difficulty against the Japanese athletes. While the Blues were trailing by three sets to one, the French judoka began a great comeback.
Tatsuru Saito: “I don’t think I can return to Japan”
Finally, the draw designated Teddy Riner and Tatsuru Saito for the decisive fight. Once again, the triple Olympic champion overcame his opponent. Thus offering a new gold medal to the French delegation. After this defeat, The Japanese fighter seemed totally dejected.
“I’m really sorry for dragging the team down with a pathetic result, I’m really disappointed. I will definitely bring back two gold medals to Japan in four years.. But to be honest, for now, I don’t think I can go back to Japan. I feel ashamed and frustrated with myself.” said Teddy Riner’s opponent. Despite his failure, he received a standing ovation from the crowd when he received his silver medal.
2024-08-06 04:00:46
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