He will not be able to aim for an eleventh world title. The ten-time world champion and three-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner, who injured his ankle in August, announced on Monday that he had to give up the 2022 Worlds scheduled in Tashkent from October 6 to 13.
“I can’t take any risks”
“Alas I was dreading it, but the medical examinations taken today have confirmed that I will not be able to resume judo for a few weeks, which therefore excludes my participation in the next World Championships in Tashkent”, wrote Riner, 33, on Twitter . “Two years away from the Olympics, I can’t take any risks. Appointment is made for the next World Championships next May in Qatar, ”added the megastar of French sport.
In his short message, Riner does not give details on the injury which forces him to forfeit the most important meeting of the year. At the end of August, during an internship in Rabat, Morocco, he injured his ankle during a confrontation when a training partner fell on his ankle.