The most unexpected defeat: the 'unbeatable' Riner loses a fight nine years later

The French had chained 154 victories since their last defeat on September 13, 2010

Mayscula surprise in judo less than six months for the Olympic Games. Teddy riner, who aspires to a third Olympic title in Tokyo, suffered his first defeat in more than nine years after falling in the third round of the Pars tournament.

The japons Kokoro Kageura, by ippon in the extension, ended an endless series of 154 consecutive fights won by the current double heavyweight Olympic champion and 10 times world champion. Riner had not kissed the canvas since September 13, 2010.

This defeat casts doubt on a third gold medal for the Frenchman in the Tokyo event. Only the Japanese Tadahiro Nomura, in light weight, it has so far been crowned as triple Olympic judo champion (1996, 2000 and 2004).

Despite the defeat, Riner showed journalists his usual good mood and took the defeat with a “positive attitude.” “If it had happened to me in the Games, I will be upset. It is better to happen now. There is still time, there are five months left to prepare”desdramatiz

“And I want to say something else: I have freed myself from a pressure, the one to count the combats to try to reach (the record of) Yamashita (203 victories) “.” It is necessary to understand what has happened, what has been missing, what did not work today (Sunday) “, he concluded The French, now forced to “go back to work” hard in the face of the Games.