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World Judo Championships in Doha: The king is back – Teddy Riner takes his 11th title

Frenchman Teddy Riner has won his eleventh World Heavyweight Championship gold at the World Championships in Qatar. Teddy Riner is the most successful judoka in the world so far.

In the Qatari capital Doha, the President of the World Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, presented the President of the Qatari Judo Federation, Mr Khalid bin Hamad Al Attiyah, with the IJF Honorary Black Belt and a certificate – in recognition of his contribution to the development of judo in Qatar and the region.

On Saturday, Teddy Riner competed without being ranked as one of the best judoka in the world. And the two-time Olympic champion faced his toughest test yet to add an eleventh star and reclaim the red badge.

Riner takes 11th world championship title
The now legendary Frenchman Riner presented himself in top form in the preliminaries and made great throws to the delight of the sold-out stadium. He would accept nothing but gold here in Doha and try to go down in history with another record.

But of all the competitors, it was Inal Tasoyev who would face him in the final. Tassojev was in good form all morning. Great judo with amazing technique. Could he be the one to beat Riner in the final now that the title is within reach?

Tasoyev fought hard but Riner was spurred on by the huge crowd chanting his name.

Victory came deep in the golden score. 11-time world champion Teddy Riner. An amazing legacy for the unrivalled judoka.

Riner received his medal from French judo president Stephane Nomis.

After his win, Riner said, “It’s the same feeling I had at the London and Rio Olympics. Wow, this is the best. When I remember, I’m fighting like I’m at home, Teddy, Teddy, just Teddy. When people cheer your name, wow, it’s a wonderful feeling and you win for people, for your family, for your friends.”

Gold for Japan
In the women’s 78KG class, reigning world champion Romane Dicko did not make it to the final, but surprisingly her teammate Julia Tolofua did.

She had put in a fantastic performance throughout the preliminaries and was only thinking about gold now that it was her chance.

But she would have to beat Japan’s Sone Akira, the reigning Olympic champion, to win double gold for France. And Sone would not be an easy fight after she had confidently worked her way into the final.

With the loud support of a full stadium for Sone and Tolofua, the judoka took to the tatami mat. After a gruelling 7 minutes in the Golden Score, the fight was decided by the superior attacking speed of Sone, who won her second World title.

IJF Treasurer Nasser Al-Tamimi presented the medals.

“I am so relieved to have won this world championship here in Doha because this is what I have been working towards and what my goal was,” she said afterwards.

On Sunday, the incredible mixed team competition, 6 v 6, will take place. Three men and three women form a team. It will definitely be exciting. Japan has won all the world championships but was defeated by France at the Olympics.

Can France prove that they deserve first place? Or will Japan dominate? In Doha we will find out.

By Arnold