Teddy Riner's Comeback to Competition
French judoka Teddy Riner has announced his return to competitive action, scheduled for August 30, 2026. He will compete in the Lausanne Grand Slam tournament, held at Switzerland's Vaudoise Arena. This marks Riner's first individual contest since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he captured two gold medals—one in the over-100 kg category and another in the mixed team event.
Representing Paris Saint-Germain Judo, Riner has only appeared once since the Paris Games: a Champions League match in December 2024, where he helped his club secure the championship title. Following that bout, the athlete underwent surgery on his right elbow. With seven Olympic medals and 11 world championship titles to his name, Riner is now setting his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Future Plans
The Olympic qualification period begins on June 15, and the World Championships are slated for October 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Riner commented:
“Returning to competition is always a special moment.” — Teddy Riner
This phase of the judoka's career draws particular attention, especially as his greatest rival, Bilodid, has retired from professional judo, and Christa Deguchi—Canada's first-ever Olympic judo champion—has also decided to leave the sport.
Riner's comeback is a major event not only for him personally but for the entire judo world, given his status as one of the most decorated athletes in the sport's history. With his future ambitions in mind, competing at the Lausanne Grand Slam could serve as a crucial step in his preparation for the 2028 Olympics. This tournament also offers young judokas a platform to showcase their talents amid the shifting landscape of professional judo following the retirements of several elite competitors.