Frenchman Teddy Riner made history on Friday august 2nd by becoming the first judoka to win four Olympic gold medals, clinching the title in the +100kg category. South Korea’s Kim Min-jong took silver, while Tajikistan’s Temur Rakhimov and Uzbekistan’s Alisher Yusupov were awarded bronze.
The stands at Champs de Mars quickly filled with fans, including one in a white martial arts uniform waving a French flag and another holding a poster of Riner. The excitement was palpable, with the crowd’s enthusiasm shaking the floor of the arena where judo events are being held for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Riner, the hometown hero, once again delivered for France, becoming the second judoka in history to secure three individual Olympic gold medals. At 35, he won the gold in his fifth Olympic Games, defeating Kim for the title. Riner’s victory was one of the most electrifying moments of the Paris Games so far.
An 11-time world champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, Riner is celebrated as one of the greatest judokas of all time. His impressive career includes a 10-year unbeaten streak, showcasing his dominance in the sport with his exceptional size and athleticism.
By AlizeLaVie
