Teddy Riner ended his working relationship with coach Darcel Yandzi, All judo reported, following a coaching tenure that never reached the international tournament stage.
The five-time Olympic champion decided to part ways with Yandzi just a day after launching his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, according to L’Équipe. Yandzi took over the role after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, replacing Christian Chaumont, but never coached Riner in an official international tournament or major championship.
At 37 years old, the French heavyweight remains sidelined while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder. He has not named a successor to Yandzi.
Shoulder surgery delays the comeback
Riner spent much of the year on the sidelines following right shoulder surgery that forced him to scrap a series of planned competitive returns. He abandoned comebacks in Lima and Lausanne, withdrew from the world championships in Baku in October, and missed the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
He has resumed training sessions, but his competitive return is not expected until 2027. His targeted window for a return to the international circuit sits between June and July 2027, with a scaled-down schedule featuring four to six major events. His participation in the 2027 World Championships in Kazakhstan remains undecided.
The long road to Los Angeles 2028
Despite his age and a lengthy layoff, Riner maintains his pursuit of a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He insisted he intends to continue his judo career and compete in California even if he wins the French presidency.
“Si la fonction me le permet et si les Français m’y autorisent,” said Le champion olympique.
Riner said regarding balancing public office with elite sport.
The qualification process for Los Angeles closes in mid-June 2028 following the world championships in Switzerland. Fighters must finish inside the top 17 of their category to secure a quota place, with a maximum of one athlete per nation. Securing a spot in the top eight guarantees a seeded position and an easier preliminary draw.
Stéphane Nomis questions the rankings climb
Having missed international competition since the summer of 2024, Riner no longer holds a spot in the world rankings. He must rebuild his ranking points entirely across roughly twenty tournaments alongside the European and World Championships.
French Judo Federation President Stéphane Nomis expressed doubts about the ease of the comeback when speaking to RMC.
“Pas aussi simple,”
Nomis told RMC that Riner could realistically reach the top 17, but entering the top eight will be much more difficult than the athlete expects.
When he extended his contract with PSG Judo, Riner stated an ambition to reach the world top 10.
“Je sais exactement comment je vais partir et avec qui,” Riner said.
Riner said at the time.
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