Confronting Japan will likely be French judokas led by Riner, who prepares to return to the mat for his fourth Games in his home country.
A win at Tokyo’s Budokan, the arena developed to host judo’s launching at the 1964 Games, would have matched the record held by Japanese fantastic judoka Tadahiro Nomura. Still, the French win in the group occasion helped bring Riner a tally of three golds and 2 bronze medals from his Olympics looks. “It’s my third Olympic gold medal, my 5th medal at an Olympics.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Judo – Mixed Team – Medal Ceremony – Nippon Budokan – Tokyo, Japan – July 31, 2021. Gold medallist group France member Teddy Riner of France celebrates REUTERS/Sergio Perez
TOKYO, Aug 7 (Reuters)-Japanese judokas attained a record gold medal rush for the host country at the Tokyo Games, however it was France’s Teddy Riner who took the show at the home of judo in the end. Of the 14 weight categories for the men and ladies, Japan won nine golds, a silver and a bronze in the private contests in Tokyo -a record haul because judo ended up being an Olympic occasion for males in 1964 and for females in 1992.
However, the feeling of exaltation amongst Japanese judokas rapidly faded after they suffered a shock loss against Riner-led France 1-4 in the mixed team occasion on the final day of the judo contest. “This is the reality worldwide. The world of judo is evolving quickly,” Kosei Inoue, the head coach of the Japanese judo national team, informed reporters.
“I’m actually annoyed as we wound up in the 2nd place and could not live up to expectations, although I’m the happiest man on earth to have worked with such fantastic athletes.”
Japanese judokas have a big job to do if they desire to exceed their Tokyo Games results at the Paris 2024, he included. Confronting Japan will likely be French judokas led by Riner, who plans to return to the mat for his 4th Games in his house nation. The 32-year-old French heavyweight legend had to opt for the bronze medal after failing to win a third successive Olympic gold in the males’s +100 kg individual contest against Tamerlan Bashaev of the Russian Olympic Committee.
A win at Tokyo’s Budokan, the arena built to host judo’s debut at the 1964 Games, would have matched the record held by Japanese fantastic judoka Tadahiro Nomura. Still, the French win in the group event assisted bring Riner a tally of 3 golds and two bronze medals from his Olympics appearances. Riner said he enjoyed to win both bronze for the individual and gold for the group event. “It’s my 3rd Olympic gold medal, my 5th medal at an Olympics. I think this is extremely, very … essential to win here in the nation of judo during the Olympic Games in Tokyo at the Budokan. It’s simply amazing,”Riner informed reporters.”This is a dream, we win the final (against the)Japanese team. Wow.” (This story refiles to correct missing letter in very first para) Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Lincoln Feast Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
