Teddy Riner lights the Olympic flame in Paris

Teddy Riner, widely regarded as one of the greatest judokas of all time, has had the distinguished honor of lighting the Olympic flame in Paris, a significant moment shared with fellow Guadeloupean athlete Marie-José Pérec. This event marks the pinnacle of Riner's career, as he prepares for what could be his final Olympic appearance.

Also French judo legends Clarisse Agbegnenou and David Douillet were one of the last athletes to hand over the flame to Riner and Perec.

Riner's journey in judo has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born in 1989, in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, Riner moved to Paris with his family when he was a baby. His parents encouraged him to channel his boundless energy into various sports, including athletics, basketball, football, golf, mountain climbing, squash, and swimming. It was at age 15 that he decided to focus solely on judo, a decision that would lead him to unprecedented success.

His Olympic record is unparalleled, with gold medals in the men’s +100 kg category at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, and a bronze at both the 2008 Beijing and 2021 Tokyo Games. Additionally, he won gold in the mixed team event at the Tokyo Olympics. Riner's dominance extends to the IJF World Championships, where he has claimed eleven titles, the most by any judoka. His victories span from 2007 to 2023, across various cities including Doha, Budapest, Astana, Chelyabinsk, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Tokyo, and Rotterdam.

Riner's preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics has been rigorous. He competed in five tournaments in 2024, securing first-place finishes in Dushanbe, Antalya, and Paris. His training regime underwent significant changes in 2020, incorporating a new diet and more stretching exercises to improve his mobility and recovery. These adjustments have kept him at the top of his game as he aims to add another Olympic title to his illustrious career.

Standing at 204 cm, Riner's imposing presence on the tatami is matched by his technical prowess, with preferred techniques including uchi-mata, o-soto-gari, and harai-goshi. He trains under the guidance of coach Franck Chambily at Paris Saint-Germain Judo, a club that recognized his potential early on.

As Riner prepares to compete in his fifth Olympic Games, equaling the appearances of notable judokas like Telma Monteiro, Ryoko Tamura-Tani, Maria Pekli, Robert Van de Walle, and Driulis Gonzalez, the world watches in anticipation. The lighting of the Olympic flame in Paris by Riner is not just a ceremonial act but a testament to his enduring legacy and the indomitable spirit of an athlete who has defined his sport for over a decade.