In a thrilling conclusion to the mixed team judo event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the French team staged a remarkable comeback to defend their Olympic title against Japan. The final, held on August 3rd at the Champ-de-Mars, was a rollercoaster of emotions for the home crowd.
Japan initially took a commanding 2-0 lead, but the tide turned when France’s judo legend Teddy Riner stepped onto the mat. Riner’s victory against Saito Tatsuru sparked a French resurgence, followed by Joan-Benjamin Gaba’s unexpected win over two-time Olympic champion Abe Hifumi.
With the scores tied at 3-3, fate intervened as Riner was randomly selected for the tie-breaking match. In a fitting end to his illustrious career, Riner defeated Saito once more, securing gold for France and cementing his legacy in the sport.
This victory was particularly poignant for Riner, who had announced his retirement following the games. Just a day earlier, he had become the most decorated judoka in history by winning the individual +100 kg title.
Riner’s post-match comments reflected the team’s joy and unity: “An individual medal is for you, for your guts. But this is for us. This is for them.”
