Featured Image Credit: Eurosport & NOS
Topics: Olympics
Rory O'Callaghan
One of the biggest French stars of the 2024 Olympics, Teddy Riner, remains on course for gold after his latest opponent was thrown out of the Games in disgrace.
Judoka Riner is one of the most popular French athletes at the Games and was given the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron along with retired sprinter Marie-Jose Perec during the opening ceremony.
The 35-year-old is already a three-time Olympic champion, having claimed gold in the men's +100kg category at the 2012 and 2016 games, and also in the mixed team event at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.
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Riner remains in contention to regain his individual Olympic title after beating Georgia's Guram Tushishvili on Friday.
Riner, who narrowly beat Magomedomar Magomedomarov of the United Arab Emirates in the last 16, won by ippon – the highest score a fighter can achieve in judo.
The match ended in disgrace for Tushishvili, who was disqualified from the Games after reacting angrily to Riner's winning move.
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Tushishvili received a red card from the officials for putting his leg into Riner's crotch and his hand on the Frenchman's face at the end of the contest, appearing to kick out at his opponent at one point during the scuffle.
Dutch commentators for NOS were gobsmacked by Tushishvili's behaviour, with judo a sport known for strict rules around respect for both competitors and officials.
"What is this aggressiveness? This is not okay, this will get Georgia disqualified," one commentator said.
"He will be completely out of the tournament."
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To which another commentator added: "Completely. This is scandalous behaviour. Disrespectful. He's just throwing away an Olympic medal here."
Tushishvili eventually regained his composure and shook hands with Riner before gesturing to the crowd.
It was later confirmed that he had been disqualified, meaning the Georgian cannot fight for a bronze medal.
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The International Judo Federation also announced that he will not be allowed to take part in the team event after being disqualified from the Games altogether.
Riner, on the other hand, progresses to the last four of the competition, which will take place on Friday afternoon.