The French Judo Federation announced on Monday that five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner will return to competition in the prestigious Grand Slam tournament in Paris on February 2.
Riner hasn’t fought since last summer’s Paris Games, where he won his third individual Olympic heavyweight title (+100 kg) and second team gold.
The 35-year-old, who has said he wants to continue his career until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, is the title holder in Paris. Last year he won there for the eighth time.
Other Olympic medalists in Paris include Clarisse Agbegnenou, who had to settle for individual bronze or gold in 2021 in Tokyo. The six-time world champion competes in the -70 kg category, rather than her usual -63 kg category.
Olympic silver medalist Joan-Benjamin Gaba, one of the heroes of the team final against Japan, as well as Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou (bronze in the -90 kg category) and Luka Mkheidze (silver in the -60 kg category) will also be a surprise.
The women’s bronze medalist of the Paris Games, Romane Dicko (+78 kg) and Shirine Boukli (-48 kg), will also take part in the competition.
