The Frenchman won his seventh title at the Paris Grand Slam on Sunday.
Winner of the Paris Grand Slam on Sunday at Bercy, ten-time world judo champion Teddy Riner admitted that the recovery after his ankle injury had been difficult but said to himself “ready to workfor his Olympic preparation.
What does this victory in Paris mean to you after your injury and 18 months before the Paris-2024 Games?
«It’s fun! Going back to this Paris Tournament was important in the preparation (for the Olympics). Even with 70% of my abilities, I’m happy. I did not show extraordinary judo. But that’s part of the preparation. With the injury I had, it was not easy to come back. I am happy today to have succeeded for my staff and my family, for all the people who came, to have gone to this final to seek the gold medal.»
Do you leave this tournament with more certainty?
«Very little! Very little, but hey, I’m putting everything into training, I’m putting everything into the work we’re going to do after this tournament. Inevitably, I unlocked points, but we are still very far from my best level. I’m still very far from the level I had before the injury. But you have to stay positive. There is still a year and a half left and I am ready to work. (The ankle) did not bother me, we will continue to work with the staff. Prevention, at my age (Riner is 33, editor’s note), is important and we will continue training.»
Did finding the French public allow you to take the temperature of the atmosphere that there will be at the Olympic Games?
«It makes you want, it makes you think because it’s going to happen quickly, casually. But then, we know what to expect. Put pressure on yourself at home. Do not slip. It was important to get into this tournament a year and a half before the Games.»
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