« Please reopen! “It was May 28, in Villebon-sur-Yvette (Essonne) after the national crown by teams with his club, PSG judo: Teddy Riner implored Japanese journalists so that the borders of their country open again to the strangers. The ten-time world heavyweight champion feels at home in Japan, where judo was born. For almost twenty years, the Guadeloupean (33 years old) has been going there regularly to find unique, dense adversity. His right ankle finally straight, he has been training there since October 30 and until Friday.
He set his sights on the University of Tenri, a reference. ” We chose Tenri because the intensity is a little lower than in Tokyoexplains Franck Chambily. Teddy really took over the randoris (practice fights) in Japan. He only had one session before leaving. “And the faithful trainer to ensure:” His ankle is holding up well. »
Four months without competition
This right ankle had been affected (ligaments in particular) on August 24 during a randori in training in Morocco. This injury forced the judoka to forfeit the Worlds in Tashkent in Uzbekistan, where he should have fought on October 12 individually (+ 100 kg). Uzbekistan where he could complete a fortnight’s internship at the beginning of January. Back on his feet, the champion continues his logic of seeking varied and rich adversity abroad that he no longer finds in France.
For the time being, it is therefore in Japan, an inexhaustible breeding ground. ” They are not well-known academics. There are about ten partners over 100 kg who don’t hesitate to come and get Teddy. It’s happiness for us “, assures the coach. He concocted a progressive randori recovery program. ” Before coming to Japan, after two months without judo, Teddy had done a lot of technique; there, we do six to seven randoris per session, each one lasts seven minutes. It feels a little weird when we cut so long, but we gotta get back to it “, Chambily knows well.
Upon his return to France, Teddy Riner will have an active recovery week. Then, he will return to competition, four months after his last outing: victory at the Budapest Grand Slam on July 10, which was his return as an individual since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (3rd in +100 kg, 1st in mixed teams ). ” He makes the Champions League with his club on November 26 (in Gori, Georgia),” says Chambily. And after ? ” We will take stock after this competition », Answers Chambily. Participation in the Masters from December 20 to 22 in Jerusalem is planned.
