Teddy Riner gave his news during a press briefing this Monday a few days before the Grand Slam of Paris at the Accor Arena.
Six months later, Teddy Riner will make his return to international competition. We had not seen the judoka since his victory at the Grand Slam in Budapest last July, the fault of a nasty ankle injury which deprived him of the world championships in October. Now restored, the one who only fought in the Champions League with PSG Judo in November will be on the tatami this weekend at the Paris Grand Slam at the Accor Arena. And the 33-year-old judoka is looking forward to it, as he said on Monday during a press briefing. “ Today, we are a few days away from the Paris Grand Slam, I am super happy, super excited because Paris is not just any Grand Slam. I want to succeed in front of my family, in front of my friends and find this public. It’s gonna be something! “said the five-time Olympic medalist.
Riner will listen to his body, more than ever
If he is eager to resume competition, Teddy Riner also recognizes a certain apprehension: “The truth is that when I get on a carpet, I am afraid. In Kazakhstan (where he did a preparation course, editor’s note), I was very afraid of injuring myself, because you had to see the templates in front. “The last goal of his career being to win a third individual Olympic title next year in Paris, the judoka will listen to his body more than ever during the last months which separate him from the Paris 2024 deadline. there is one event you can’t miss, it’s these Olympics at home, so today I’m paying attention. All the staff are focused on it. (…) When there is information that says “today, we are less well”, well, we take it easy, it doesn’t matter. In the past I would have said: “It’s being weak to slow down, you have to continue”. No, today we are doing quality, ”explains Riner who, in addition to this Grand Slam in Paris, also has the Doha Worlds in May in his sights.
