Teddy Riner will miss the upcoming World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, after suffering a right-shoulder injury during summer training, according to the French Judo Federation. The triple Olympic champion’s withdrawal from the tournament, scheduled for October 4 to October 11, rules him out of contention for a twelfth world title in the over-100-kilogram category.
Shoulder Injury Forces Riner Out of Baku World Championships
Post-Olympic Respite and Mounting Physical Setbacks
The 37-year-old heavyweight has not competed in an official tournament since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he captured two gold medals in the over-100kg division and the mixed team event. Following his Olympic campaign, Riner delayed his return to competitive action due to an elbow operation before sustaining the right-shoulder injury during summer training sessions.
Missed Grand Prix Events Prompt Federation Caution
According to the French Judo Federation, the setback forced Riner to withdraw from the Grand Prix in Lima in mid-August and the Grand Slam in Lausanne on August 30. A federation statement indicated that his current physical condition “will not allow him to participate in the 2026 World Championships in Baku,” adding that “the priority remains his recovery and his return under the best conditions.”
A Rare Club Appearance Following Home Triumph
Riner previously skipped the 2025 World Championships in Budapest, stating at the time that optimal conditions for a comeback were not yet met. His absence from the Baku tournament marks another extended pause for the judoka, who has competed only once in club competition—during a Champions League fixture for Paris Saint-Germain at the end of 2024—since his home-country Olympic triumph.
Long-Term Ambitions Point Toward Los Angeles 2028
Despite ongoing physical hurdles, Riner maintains his long-term focus on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Those Games would mark his sixth and final Olympic appearance, at which point he would be 39 years old. Before reaching Los Angeles, the athlete will be required to secure his Olympic qualification quota through competitive results once he returns to the tatami.
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