French judoka Teddy Riner solidified his status as an Olympic legend by clinching his fourth gold medal in the men's +100kg judo final at the Champ-de-Mars Arena. Riner's remarkable achievement makes him the most successful judoka in Olympic history, surpassing all previous records.
The electrifying atmosphere inside the arena, filled with enthusiastic spectators, added to the excitement of the moment as Riner faced off against the world No. 1 and reigning world champion, Kim Min-jong of South Korea. In a display of skill and determination, Riner secured victory with an impressive ippon, showcasing his mastery of the sport.
Notably, Riner had the honor of lighting the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony, setting the stage for his exceptional performance in the competition. Following his win, Riner displayed sportsmanship by raising Kim's hand in a gesture of respect, highlighting the spirit of fair play and camaraderie in judo.
This latest gold medal adds to Riner's already illustrious Olympic career, which includes individual gold medals from London and Rio. Additionally, Riner has a mixed team gold from 2020 and bronze medals from Beijing and Tokyo, bringing his total Olympic medal count to an unprecedented six.
Riner's remarkable achievements have cemented his legacy as the most decorated judoka in history, a title he continues to uphold with grace and skill. Fans can look forward to Riner's participation in the upcoming mixed team event, where he has the opportunity to further add to his impressive medal collection.
In the men's +100kg judo event, Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov and Alisher Yusupov of Uzbekistan secured the bronze medals, showcasing the global talent and competitiveness in the sport of judo.