Teddy Riner withdraws injured from Lima Grand Prix

Paris – 05.08.2026: Teddy Riner has withdrawn from the Lima Grand Prix. The French heavyweight was due to return to the mat in an individual competition for the first time since the Paris Olympic Games at the tournament in Peru from August 14 to 16, 2026. According to Franceinfo, an injury is preventing his planned appearance. No diagnosis has been published.

The withdrawal concerns an event that was intended to serve as Riner’s first sporting benchmark ahead of the World Championships. The Lima Grand Prix is part of the International Judo Federation calendar. A total of 326 athletes from 54 countries are entered for the tournament. In the over-100-kilogram weight class, the official competition overview lists 19 participants.

Riner contested his most recent international individual bout at the Paris Olympic Games, where he won gold in the over-100-kilogram category on August 2, 2024. A day later, he also won the Olympic team competition with France. The long break since those successes had made his appearance in Lima a particularly closely watched step in his preparations for the second half of the year.

It is not known how long the 37-year-old will be sidelined. There has also been no confirmed statement on whether his further competition schedule will need to be changed. Riner was expected to be part of the French team at the World Championships in Baku, scheduled to take place from October 4 to 11, 2026.

Before that, he could potentially compete at the Lausanne Grand Slam, scheduled for August 28 to 30, 2026. France Judo selected Riner for the event in Switzerland at the beginning of July. However, his participation was not reconfirmed after the injury became known. His withdrawal from Lima therefore does not allow any reliable conclusion to be drawn about a possible appearance in Lausanne.

Riner’s availability in the heavyweight division is of sporting importance to the French team. With three individual Olympic titles, he is one of the most successful judoka in history. The World Championships in Azerbaijan would be his next major test against the international elite, provided a timely return is possible.

The Lima Grand Prix will take place despite his withdrawal. According to the published schedule, the men’s over-100-kilogram bouts are planned for the first day of competition. As of August 5, 2026, there was no public information regarding Riner’s treatment, training workload or a possible return date.