RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — French judo great
Teddy Riner will
resume competing in July after a post-Olympics break, and has his sights set on
the 2024 Paris Games, where the 32-year-old dreams of winning one last gold, he
says.
اضافة اعلان
The 10-time world champion, who holds the
most world titles in the history of the sport, said during a training session
in
Rio de Janeiro he would return to competition at the Budapest Grand Slam
from July 8 to 10.
"We'll see how that first tournament
goes. I'm giving myself time. I'd like to go to the world championships in
October (in Tashkent, Uzbekistan), but we'll see," he told AFP in an
interview Friday, taking a break from his first international training session
since his six-month hiatus.
One thing is certain: despite an aging body
and struggles with injury, he wants to compete before a home crowd at the
Paris Olympics before he calls it quits, he said.
"My whole family, all my friends are
going to be in the stadium. It will be like having an extra lung," said
the 2.04-meter (six-foot-eight-inch) heavyweight, who currently weighs in at
around 148 kilos (326 pounds).
"But I'm not putting pressure on
myself. There's a long road to travel. I have to train, because I wouldn't want
to disappoint, but above all because I want to really enjoy this last
competition."
The three-time
Olympic gold medalist, who
had to settle for bronze in Tokyo but managed to help France to team gold, said
a final gold in Paris would be "the pinnacle" of his career.
"But whatever happens, I won't be
disappointed. I've had the career I've had, and I'm grateful to everyone who
has helped make it possible," he said.
"Whatever happens now is a bonus. No
stress. I want to push the limits and shine in front of the home crowd, win the
most beautiful medal of all. But whatever is meant to be will be."
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