It may be a detail for you, but for the French Judo Federation, it means a lot. She announced this Wednesday that Teddy Riner was going to fight under the colors of Adidas, the official supplier of the federation since 2022. In 2018, the now three-time Olympic champion and ten-time world champion had been authorized to stand aside, and had been using for two years the brand he created, Fight Art.
Elected president of the Federation in November 2020, Stéphane Nomis wants all internationals to wear the kimono of the France team. “We had a form problem to solve, and we did it in the best conditions,” said the latter. I thank Teddy for coming back on the achievements. I know that we share the same values dear to judo: mutual aid and mutual prosperity. »
An agreement valid only during competitions
During the Doha World Championships, from May 7 to 14, Riner (who will turn 34 on Friday) will therefore present himself in Adidas. But he can dress in Fight Art during training, courses, and demonstrations.
The Federation hopes that this agreement can be duplicated in the case of Clarisse Agbegnenou. In February, the two-time Olympic champion competed at the Grand Slam in Tel Aviv wearing a kimono from her personal sponsor, Mizuno. Returning to competition after maternity leave, she took the example of Riner to justify herself. The Federation had decided to deprive it of its referent coach in the France team, Ludovic Delacotte, for the competition.