Teddy Riner said he was “motivated like never before” when it came to competing at the World Judo Championships in Doha (May 7-14), where the Frenchman will aim for an eleventh title. “These World Championships will allow me to find the competition, to position myself in relation to this competition”, declared Riner during a press briefing on Wednesday at the headquarters of the French Federation. “Because what I don’t want is to get to the Games and miss out on this event.”
The triple Olympic champion, who had to give up the 2022 Worlds due to an ankle injury, has not participated in the planetary judo meeting since his tenth coronation in 2017. want, I’m motivated like never before. It’s cool, it’s positive, I’m happy and excited to be at these World Championships,” he continued.
“What will be important is to manage this expectation, because I already want to be there. But we will use these last days to prepare the event well. Riner, who made his return to international level last February when he won the Paris Grand Slam, said he is feeling “better and better” on the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics despite a minor finger injury. recently.
“On the last stage in Hungary, the ligament jumped, in any case on the ultrasound it was no longer found”, he revealed. “(But) it won’t prevent anything. We are doing our best to bring the pain down to the lowest possible level. But otherwise, the legs, the upper body, everything is fine, I’m happy. Riner will enter Worlds on May 13, before the mixed team competition on May 14.
