Paris 2024 Olympics: Teddy Riner gives up on the Abu Dhabi Worlds and focuses solely on the Games

Teddy Riner ne briguera pas un 12e titre aux Mondiaux. MAXPPP – Laurent Lairys

The French judo star needs a breather after a spring of intense competition.

Two months before the Olympic Games, Teddy Riner has decided not to go to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi (May 19-24), the French judo federation announced on Friday.

He will not seek a twelfth world crown: judo star Teddy Riner has decided to focus exclusively on his preparation and not to fight in the Emirates.

Seed at the Games

Winner of the Grand Slam in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 5, after those in Paris and Antalya at the start of the year, Riner needed " blow" before making his decision about coming to the Worlds.

The Worlds require a lot of energy and nervous impulses

Also read: After Paris, Teddy Riner continues and wins the Antalya Grand Slam

Also read: VIDEO. Why Teddy Riner's victory in Tajikistan is important for his journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics ?

It’s now a done deal, he won’t be looking for a new world title, one year after that of Doha. Currently 4th in the Olympic rankings, the double Olympic heavyweight champion should logically remain in the top eight between now and the Games, allowing him to have the seeded status he was looking for.< /p>

This status normally allows you to avoid a preliminary round at the Olympics and to have a clearer picture in the first fights. "The Worlds, that requires a lot of energy and nervous impulses, it requires special preparation", he explained on May 5.

The 35-year-old colossus will aim for a third Olympic heavyweight title this summer.