'Reaction was pitiful' - Controversy as Riner opponent disqualified for acts against 'values' of Judo at Paris 2024
Updated 02/08/2024 at 15:37 GMT+1
Teddy Riner's opponent was disqualified from the men's 100kg+ judo tournament after reacting aggressively to Riner celebrating reaching the semi-finals. Riner's match-winning move left him on top of Guram Tushishvili, who reacted aggressively, attempting to kick out at Riner before striking the Frenchman in the head with his knee. Frederique Jossinet called the reaction "pitiful".
Disqualified - Watch the moment Tushishvilli lashes out at Riner
Video credit: TNT Sports
Georgia's Guram Tushishvili was disqualified from the men's 100kg+ judo tournament, after attacking France's Teddy Riner at the end of their match.
Riner won the quarter-final encounter with a tani otoshi move, registering an ippon against Tushishvili, leaving him towering over the Georgian, something that Tushishvili did not seem to appreciate.
After pushing Riner off, the Georgian leant over Riner, before shouting in his face and kicking out as he walked away from the Frenchman.
The two separated, but Tushishvili went back in for one more knee to the head of Riner, before eventually walking to the other side of the floor, whilst the referee seemed to let the incident occur.
"In judo, values, respect for the opponent and the winner are very important," said French Olympic Judoka Frederique Jossinet.
"His reaction was pitiful and not in keeping with the values of judo. He got 'hansoku-make', a disqualification. You can't have a reaction like that. This is not judo."
She added: "It's a bit of testosterone. It was a very tense match, a quarter that could have been a semi-final or a final. The Georgian is a very hotheaded person, he's a big character, and it's not the first time it's happened like that.
"Tushishvili attacks Teddy from a poor position and a little 'with nothing'. Teddy pulls off a magnificent counter. He tackles him to the floor, and of course there's an Ippon. A few glances were exchanged, with Teddy Riner superior in terms of position, so the Georgian must not have liked it too much.
"That's fair enough, we're in a combat sport, we mustn't forget that."
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The Georgian seemed frustrated with Riner's celebrations to the crowd and continued to make gestures regarding this to Riner, as the referee announced the French star as the victor.
Tushishvili was awarded a penalty for actions against the spirit of judo and has now been disqualified from the tournament, ending any potential chance of the Georgian picking up a medal.
Tushishvili was due to face Alisher Yusupov in a repechage match later on Friday, but will not be permitted to compete.
Riner was victorious with 10 points to none and will progress into the semi-final, where he will face Tajikstan's Temur Rakhimov in the semi-final later on Friday.
Elsewhere, South Korea's Minjong Kim defeated Azerbijan's Ushangi Kokauri to progress into the next round.
Japan's Tatsuru Saito won his quarter-final against Andy Granda from Cuba. Saito will take on Kim on Friday afternoon in the other semi-final.
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