Two months before the Olympic Games, Teddy Riner has decided not to go to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi (May 19-24), the French judo federation announced on Friday.
He will not seek a twelfth world crown: judo star Teddy Riner has decided to focus exclusively on his preparation and not to fight in the Emirates.
Winner of the Grand Slam in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 5, after those in Paris and Antalya at the start of the year, Riner needed to “breathe” before making his decision about coming to the Worlds. It is now done, he will not seek a new world title, a year after that of Doha.
Currently 4th in the Olympic rankings, the double Olympic heavyweight champion should logically remain in the top eight between now and the Games, allowing him to have the seeded status he was looking for. This status normally allows you to avoid a preliminary round at the Olympics and to have a clearer picture for the first fights.
“The Worlds require a lot of energy and nervous impulses, it requires special preparation,” he explained to AFP on May 5.
The 35-year-old colossus will aim for a third Olympic heavyweight title this summer.