Teddy Riner's Historic Triumph at Paris 2024

The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a spectacle of unparalleled judo excellence, highlighted by the indomitable Teddy Riner. The local hero not only had the honor of lighting the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony but also illuminated the Champ-de-Mars Arena with his outstanding performances, securing two gold medals and etching his name into Olympic folklore.

Riner's Double Gold Glory

Teddy Riner's dominance in the judo arena was reaffirmed as he clinched his third individual Olympic gold in the men's +100kg division, adding to his illustrious victories from London 2012 and Rio 2016. His triumph in Paris marked his return to the pinnacle of the sport, displaying the prowess that has made him a judo legend. Riner's journey didn't stop there; he played a crucial role in leading France to victory in the mixed team event, defending their title from Tokyo 2020.

This double gold achievement brought Riner's total Olympic medal count to seven, including five golds and two bronzes, making him the most decorated Olympic judoka in history. His incredible feat surpasses the legendary Tamura-Tani Ryoko (JPN) and places him alongside Japan's NOMURA Tadahiro, the only other male judoka with three individual gold medals.

Riner was emotional

Reflecting on his journey, Riner expressed immense pride and gratitude. "It is crazy," he remarked after his individual victory. "Happy to have done it. We dream about it, we have some nightmares about it. But we can never think that it will happen this way. With such a crowd, with my family there to cheer me on. We understand why, all those years, we travel abroad, we train hard, why there are moments of doubt. I know why I did it, and a lot of pride to have done it here."

France's Judo Dominance

France's judo team had a remarkable run at Paris 2024, finishing with a total of 10 medals, the highest of any National Olympic Committee (NOC). This impressive haul, however, did not translate to the top of the medal table, which was claimed by Japan thanks to their three gold medals. Abe Hifumi, Nagase Takanori, and Tsunoda Natsumi were the stars for Japan, each successfully defending their titles from Tokyo 2020 in the men's -66kg, men's -81kg, and women's -48kg categories, respectively.

First gold for Canada

The Paris 2024 judo competition was also marked by significant milestones for other nations. Canada celebrated its first-ever judo gold medal, with world No.1 Christa Deguchi triumphing over South Korea's Huh Mimi in the women's -57kg final. This victory was a historic moment for Canadian judo and a testament to Deguchi's exceptional skill and determination.

Spain, on the other hand, ended a 24-year Olympic judo medal drought when Francisco Garrigos clinched bronze in the men's -60kg event. This was Spain's only judo medal of the Games, but it signaled a resurgence for the sport in the country.

New judo icons

Among the many inspiring stories, Brazil's Beatriz Souza stood out. She became Brazil’s fifth-ever Olympic judo champion, joining the ranks of Aurelio Miguel, Rogerio Sampaio, Sarah Menezes, and Rafaela Silva. Souza's journey to gold in the women's +78kg competition was marked by a technical, intelligent, and professional performance. Her victory was a source of immense pride for Brazil, as she expressed the significance of her achievement: "Yes, I am a black woman, a warrior, very strong, and I want people to look at me and believe that they can also make their dreams come true and that it’s possible.”

New Role for Majlinda Kelmendi

Kosovo's judo icon, Majlinda Kelmendi, made a significant impact at the Games, albeit in a different role. For the first time, Kelmendi was present not as a competitor but as a coach. Her transition to coaching was filled with emotion and pride as she guided her athletes through the intense competition. "It was not easy at all, but I enjoyed it a lot. I actually felt like I was going to fight; I had a lot of stress but I managed it well, I think," Kelmendi shared. She was particularly moved by her athlete Laura's performance, saying, "When Laura won, I had the same feelings as when I won the Olympic medal for myself."

The success of judo at Paris 2024 has set the stage for future competitions, with new legends rising and established ones solidifying their legacy. Teddy Riner's historic achievements and the remarkable performances from judokas worldwide have ensured that the spirit of judo continues to thrive and inspire. As the curtains closed on the Paris 2024 Olympics, the stories of the Games will fulfill the dreams of young athletes.