SME-Coverage/Samir Boussad
Abu Dhabi – May 9, 2024:
The Organizing Committee of the World Judo Championship – Abu Dhabi 2024 announced the participation of Frenchman Teddy Renner, the living legend of judo, in the competitions of the next edition, which will be held for the first time in the United Arab Emirates, during the period from 19 to 24 May next, in the “Mubadala Arena.” Abu Dhabi.
Reinier leads a star-studded list of the best judoka players in the world, who are keen to participate in the next event in Abu Dhabi, in an edition that is expected to be the strongest in recent years, given that it comes before the next Olympic Games – Paris 2024.
Reinier is considered the record holder in the number of medals he won in the World Judo Championships, with a total of 14 colorful medals during his busy career, including 12 gold medals and 1 silver medal in the individual competitions, and 1 bronze medal in the mixed team competitions.
The 35-year-old, who competes in the weight category over 100 kg, also won the gold medal twice in a row at the Olympic Games, in London 2021 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, and the bronze medal twice in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in addition to the gold medal for the mixed teams. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, in addition to a huge amount of gold medals in various major European and Grand Slam championships.
Perhaps one of the most prominent records that Reinier achieved was winning 152 fights in a row between 2010 and 2020, a number that embodies his being a legend of this sport and a well-known face for it on the international level.
His Excellency Mohammed bin Thaloub Al Darei, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the World Judo Championship, and President of the Emirates Judo Federation, with the participation of Reinier, confirmed that the best athletes have confirmed their participation in an event that will be historic at all levels, and he said: “We seek to present an exceptional version through all organizing procedures of the highest caliber.” Which coincides with the successes achieved by the major international tournaments held in Abu Dhabi, which was reflected in the confirmation of the most important male and female judo players to be present in the upcoming competitions, led by the Frenchman Teddy Renier, who has an inspiring career for all judo athletes, in terms of the achievements he has achieved and continuity. Stemming from his commitment to excellence and creativity in the sport of judo.”
He added: “The audience will be on time to watch high-class fights in light of the names that will be present in the next event, to experience an international atmosphere as they watch the best athletes in the world at Mubadala Arena, in an experience to follow confrontations that are considered the highest technically, and to get to know the champions, a large number of whom we will see.” On the podium at the Olympic Games next summer.
The tournament is expected to witness record participation from more than 100 countries, and will be held in various weight categories for men and women during the period from May 19 to May 23, with the closing day, May 24, designated for mixed team competitions.
