The atmosphere at the Champ de Mars Arena in Paris was electric. The stands were packed with passionate fans, waving French flags and cheering for their judo hero, Teddy Riner. The anticipation was palpable, and the air was thick with excitement as the crowd, bouncing with energy, created a symphony of noise.
On Friday, in a moment that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Riner cemented his legacy as a judo legend by winning his third individual Olympic gold medal, becoming only the second judoka in history to achieve this feat. The 35-year-old heavyweight, a towering figure known for his immense strength and athleticism, defeated Korea's Min-jong Kim in a thrilling final bout.
Riner, an 11-time world champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, is considered by many to be the greatest judoka the sport has ever seen. He dominated the heavyweight division for a decade, remaining unbeaten and leaving a trail of defeated opponents in his wake.
His journey to this historic win has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Three years ago in Tokyo, Riner missed out on the chance to make history, losing a surprising quarterfinal match to Russian Tamerlan Bashaev. He regrouped to win bronze in the individual competition and ultimately secured gold in the mixed team event. This setback, however, ignited a fire in him, propelling him towards his goal of Olympic glory in his home city.
Riner's performance in Paris showcased his unwavering determination. He advanced effortlessly through the second round and quarterfinals, before facing Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov in a hotly anticipated semifinal. The crowd erupted with cheers as Riner stepped onto the tatami, a roar that intensified when he secured victory over Rakhimov with a decisive ippon, confirming his spot in the final.
His historic achievement joins a string of successes for French athletes at the Paris Olympics. The country is celebrating the dominance of basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama and the stellar performance of swimmer Léon Marchand, who has already secured three gold medals.
With the mixed team competition on Saturday, the French judo team has an opportunity to add another gold medal to their impressive haul. They are aiming to repeat their triumph in Tokyo, where they overcame a strong Japanese team to secure their first ever mixed team gold.
The French judo team has already set the stage for a memorable Games, with Luka Mkheidze and Shirine Boukli claiming silver and bronze respectively, adding to the nationâs medal tally.
Riner's victory was a testament to his unwavering dedication and the unwavering support of his home crowd. As the crowd chanted his name, he fell to his knees, arms outstretched, a triumphant smile on his face. He had once again stood atop the podium, a fitting end to a career defined by excellence.