While he will find the tatami for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics last year, Teddy Riner spoke about his future and leaves open the possibility of going to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
[EMBED url= »https://video-streaming.orange.fr/sports-extreme/riner-en-route-pour-les-jeux-olympiques-2024-judo-CNT000001P3hIs.html »][/EMBED]
Teddy Riner can’t see himself hanging up the judogi yet. Individual bronze medalist in the over 100kg then crowned Olympic champion with the French team last summer in Tokyo, the native of Pointe-à-Pitre kept a low profile. But, after several internships abroad, the time has come to return to competition.
The 33-year-old judoka traveled to Budapest for the Grand Slam in order to accumulate points and move up the hierarchy with the Paris Olympic Games in sight in 2024. However, the triple Olympic champion seems to see even further, on the side of Los Angeles. ” In fact, when I say that, I mean itsaid Teddy Riner in an interview with RTL ahead of his return to competition. As long as the pleasure is there and if ever the pleasure remains as I am now, why stop after 2024? »
“I like my sport and I feel good about it”
While he will be 38 when California hosts the Olympic Games, Teddy Riner said he “wants” to continue judo. ” As long as that, it’s there, I don’t see why I’m going to stophe added. I am well. I’m not going to say that I have the slab because this word is still too small to define how hungry I am. I like this sport, I like my sport and I feel good about it. However, the one who fell back to 17th in the world after a year of inactivity will have to prove himself again this weekend.
If he is exempted from the first round, Teddy Riner will face either the Brazilian João Cesarino or the Chinese Yongjie Yin for his entry in the running. The member of PSG Judo, a club with which he recently extended for two years, could then meet world number 9 Ushango Kokauri then 7th in the hierarchy Gela Zaalishvili before a potential final against Brazilian Rafael Silva.
