Sawt Falasteen - France judo star Riner returns to competition after Olympic heroics

Riner has not fought since the Paris Games last summer, where he won a third individual Olympic heavyweight title (+100 kg) and a second team gold.

The 35-year-old, who has said he wants to continue his career until the Los Angeles Games in 2028, is the title holder in Paris. He won there last year for a record eighth time.

Other Paris Olympic medallists competing include Clarisse Agbegnenou, who had to settle for individual bronze after gold in Tokyo in 2021. The six-time world champion appears in -70 kg, and not in her usual category of -63 kg.

Surprise Olympic silver medalist Joan-Benjamin Gaba, one of the heroes of the team final against Japan, will also be present, as will Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou (bronze in -90 kg) and Luka Mkheidze (silver in -60 kg).

Women's Paris Games bronze medallist Romane Dicko (+78 kg) and Shirine Boukli (-48 kg) will also compete.

J.Saleh--SF-PST