Teddy Riner

Teddy Pierre-Marie Riner was born on April 7, 1989, in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. Raised in a family of modest means, Riner moved to mainland France as a young child and settled in the Paris region. He began practicing judo at age five at a local club in Levallois-Perret, quickly showing the combination of size, athleticism, and competitive fire that would eventually make him the greatest heavyweight judoka the sport has ever seen.

Riner's rise through the junior ranks was meteoric. By age 17, he had already won his first senior World Championship title in 2007, becoming the youngest ever world champion in the heavyweight division. That victory in Rio de Janeiro announced a new era in judo, as the towering Frenchman served notice that he would be a force for years to come. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches and weighing over 260 pounds, Riner possessed a physical presence that was imposing even by heavyweight judo standards.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics provided Riner with his first taste of Olympic competition. At just 19, he won a bronze medal, a result that left him hungry for more. He channeled that hunger into an extraordinary run of dominance that saw him win World Championship titles in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015, accumulating an astonishing eleven world titles across the heavyweight and open weight categories over the course of his career. During one remarkable stretch, Riner went undefeated for over 150 consecutive bouts spanning nearly a decade.

The 2012 London Olympics represented Riner's coronation as the king of heavyweight judo. Competing in front of a passionate crowd at the ExCeL Arena, he won the gold medal in the over 100 kilogram category, defeating Russia's Alexander Mikhaylin in the final. The victory was celebrated across France and particularly in Guadeloupe, where Riner had become a symbol of pride and possibility. He dedicated the medal to his family and his roots in the Caribbean.

Riner defended his Olympic title at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, defeating Japan's Hisayoshi Harasawa in the final to claim his second consecutive gold medal. The victory in Rio held special significance, as it was in that same city where he had won his first World Championship nine years earlier. His dominance was so complete that many wondered whether anyone could ever challenge him in his weight class.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, saw Riner compete in the individual event where he earned a bronze medal after a semifinal defeat. However, he added a third Olympic gold medal by leading France to victory in the mixed team event, a new addition to the Olympic judo program. His performance in the team event, including a crucial victory in the final against Japan on their home soil, demonstrated his ability to deliver on the biggest stages even as he entered the later stages of his career.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Riner had the honor of competing on home soil. The Games held in his adopted city were a fitting stage for one of France's greatest athletes. He won another gold medal in the mixed team event, adding to his legendary status and sending the home crowd into raptures. His presence at the Paris Games symbolized the diversity and sporting excellence that France celebrates.

Riner's judo style is built on explosive power, exceptional grip fighting, and an arsenal of throws that can end a match in an instant. His signature technique, the o-soto-gari (major outer reap), is devastatingly effective, but he is equally capable of scoring with uchi-mata, harai-goshi, and various sacrifice throws. What sets Riner apart from other physically dominant heavyweights is his technical sophistication and tactical intelligence, qualities that have allowed him to adapt and evolve throughout his long career.

Off the tatami, Riner has become one of the most recognizable athletes in France and a global ambassador for judo. He has been vocal about the importance of sport in promoting inclusion and social mobility, drawing on his own journey from Guadeloupe to the summit of world sport. His autobiography and media appearances have made him a beloved public figure, and he has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives focused on youth development.

Teddy Riner's legacy in judo is unmatched. With three Olympic gold medals, eleven World Championship titles, and a period of dominance that may never be replicated, he stands as the greatest heavyweight judoka in history and one of the finest athletes France has ever produced.