Teddy Riner Makes History with Third Olympic Gold

Teddy Riner, the legendary French judoka, just pulled off an incredible feat by winning his third Olympic gold medal in judo at the Paris Olympics. At 35 years old, he made history as the first judoka to achieve this in the heavyweight category, following his wins in 2012 and 2016.

Riner’s victory marked a pivotal moment for the French judo team, giving them their first medal at the Paris Games. His win not only adds to his impressive collection of accolades but also ensures that the French national anthem will be heard at the Games, which is something the team had been hoping for.

Reflecting on his win, Riner expressed how special competition days are, stating, ‘No matter how hard we work, competition days always bring something unique. This is truly exceptional.’

The celebration took place at the Arena Champ-de-Mars, where Riner’s triumphant performance lit up the venue. He’s now formally recognized not just as a champion but as one of the greatest in the history of judo, especially after surpassing the legendary achievements of others in the sport.

Riner’s remarkable achievement ties him with Japanese judoka Tadahiro Nomura, who also won three golds, but Riner’s overall record shines brighter with his additional medals from previous Olympics, including an Olympic gold with the team in Tokyo.

Facing off against the young South Korean judoka, Kim Min-jong, Riner showed he still has what it takes, demonstrating skill and experience that left his younger opponent struggling, especially as the clock ticked down.

Earlier in the day, Riner faced a tough match against Emirati competitor Magomedomar Magomedomarov, where a disqualification made him work hard to regain his momentum. Then against Guram Tushishvili, a heated match almost escalated into a fight, showcasing the intense emotions of Olympic competition.

His coach, Christian Chaumont, provided vital support throughout the day, affirming that Riner has been consistently powerful in his performances. Riner’s skills shined during the semi-final where he executed a brilliant move, which secured his spot for the final medal showdown.

While Riner celebrated his success, teammate Romane Dicko faced a different outcome in her heavyweight final, eventually securing a bronze after a fierce competition. Her journey parallels Riner’s, and both athletes will have another chance to claim gold in the mixed team event.