Teddy RINER (+100kg): Gold medal
Teddy begins his competition with 3 victories, successively over Vladut SIMIONESCU (ROU) by ippon, then Kacper SZCZUROWSKI (POL) and Tsetsentsengel ODKHUU (MGL) on penalties. He then faces the young Tatsuru SAITO (JPN), 21, for a place in the semi-finals. The meeting, 8 minutes long, turns to the advantage of our Frenchman who continues his momentum by dispatching the next fight in 26 seconds against the world n°1 Temur RAKHIMOV (TJK).
Opposed to the Russian Inal TASOEV in the final, Teddy had to draw on his resources to afford an 11th star at the end of a grand final. In a tactical opposition that goes to the Golden Score, the Frenchman dominates his opponent to give himself a solid advantage in the penalty game, but the Russian remains dangerous on the counter and sends a huge thrill through the bays of the ABHA Arena when he thinks he scores ippon. The referee does not signal anything: Inal TASOEV has lost his support in the movement, no waza-ari. Only a few seconds later, Teddy does not miss his chance and scores on a movement of which he has the secret. The 11th coronation is in the pocket, and the legend continues to be written. Next episode, Paris 2024 with a 3rd individual Olympic title?
© Thierry Albisetti / France Judo
Julia TOLOFUA (+78kg): Silver medal
Julia wins her 1st round on penalties against Amarantha URDANETA (VEN) then dominates Marit KAMPS (NED) on 2 waza-ari. She then gave Beatriz SOUZA (BRA) no chance and qualified for the semi-finals. It then imposes itself on the golden score on Shiyan XU (CHN) and won his place in the final.
Bronze medalist 7 months ago in Tashkent, Julia faces Olympic champion Akira SONE (JPN) for the title. The two fighters engage in a fierce fight in a tight and intense fight lasting more than 10 minutes! In the game of penalties, Julia and the Japanese surrender blow for blow but the Olympic champion multiplies her offensive efforts to finally be rewarded with a 3rd penalty awarded to Julia. Our young 25-year-old Frenchwoman came very close to the feat, but will be content with the title of vice-world champion!
Romane DICKO (+78kg): Not classified
Our reigning world champion is surprised when she enters the competition by the Italian Asya TAVANO who scores waza-ari 45 seconds from the end of the match.