Teddy Riner sends his respect to Tatsuru Saito

Japanese heavyweight Tatsuru Saito captured the hearts and respect of French fans during the Paris Olympics, even as Japan fell to the host nation in the mixed team judo final. The 22-year-old Saito faced an extraordinary challenge, battling the legendary Teddy Riner, a five-time Olympic medalist, in two grueling bouts that stretched nearly 14 minutes in total. Though Saito ultimately lost both matches, including the decisive golden score tiebreaker, his tenacity and courage left a lasting impression on the judo-loving fans in France.

Saito’s performance was remarkable not just for his technical skill, but for the sheer determination he exhibited against one of the greatest judoka of all time. The intense and prolonged matches against Riner, held at the iconic Champ de Mars Arena on August 3, showcased Saito’s fighting spirit, which did not go unnoticed by the French audience. In a country where judo is deeply revered, Saito managed to earn the admiration of both French and Japanese fans alike.

During the medal ceremony, the crowd’s support for Saito was palpable, with loud cheers echoing through the arena. Social media also lit up with messages of praise for the young judoka, many commending his bravery and persistence. One fan encapsulated the sentiment by writing, “Keep your head up champion! All of France has nothing but respect and admiration for you and for Japan.” This outpouring of support highlighted the impact Saito had made, despite not securing a victory against Riner.

The French Judo Federation itself recognized Saito’s efforts, responding to his social media post with a message of respect and gratitude for the exciting matches. "Respect! Thank you for these beautiful fights!" the official account wrote, reflecting the admiration felt by the broader judo community in France.

Even Teddy Riner, known for his dominance on the tatami, joined in the chorus of praise. In a message posted on his X and Instagram accounts, Riner lauded Saito’s performance, noting that the young judoka’s determination had pushed him to surpass his own limits. “Your impressive performance commands the respect of your opponents, my respect,” Riner wrote. He went on to express his belief in Saito’s potential, emphasizing that setbacks are crucial to growth and expressing confidence that Saito would emerge stronger from the experience. “It was an honor to meet you on the tatami,” Riner added, ending his message with a note of camaraderie and encouragement.

Saito, deeply moved by Riner’s words, responded with humility and determination. In an Instagram story, he expressed his respect for the French legend and issued a challenge for a rematch in four years' time. “It was an honor to fight with a legend. Please accept my challenge in four years,” Saito wrote, signaling his intent to return stronger at the next Olympic Games.

For Saito, the Paris Olympics were a mixed experience. Despite his commendable efforts, he was unable to achieve his goal of winning gold in the over 100-kg competition. His journey ended in the semifinals, where he was defeated by South Korea’s Kim Min-jong via ippon, a result that dashed his hopes of Olympic glory. This loss relegated him to the bronze medal match, where he faced Uzbekistan’s Alisher Yusupov. Unfortunately, Saito left the singles competition without a medal, a result that he described as “pitiful” in an interview with Kyodo News. Reflecting on his performance, Saito spoke of the promise he had made to his late father, Hitoshi Saito, a two-time Olympic champion, to win an Olympic title. Despite the disappointment in Paris, Saito vowed to fulfill that promise at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The team competition also proved challenging for Saito. In an early round, he was defeated by Spain’s Nikoloz Sherazadishvili before facing Riner in the final. Although Saito’s individual and team results fell short of his expectations, he remained resolute in his belief that this was part of his destiny. In a post on X, he apologized for not achieving better results but promised to return in four years with renewed vigor and determination.

Tatsuru Saito’s journey at the Paris Olympics may not have ended with a gold medal, but it was marked by moments of incredible resilience and character. His battles against Teddy Riner earned him respect not only from his opponents but from fans across the globe. As Saito looks ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics, the lessons learned in Paris will undoubtedly fuel his quest for redemption and greatness.

In response, Saito thanked Riner for his support and issued a challenge for the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. This challenge promises another epic showdown between the two judo titans, symbolizing both sporting rivalry and the spirit of respect and honor that characterizes the sport.