Olympic champion Teddy Riner of France has pulled out of the Paris Grand Slam this weekend because of a shoulder injury, the French judo federation announced Tuesday.

The eight-time world champion, unbeaten in more than 100 bouts dating back to September 2010, will be allowed to rest up with a view to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro where he will defend his +100kg title, the federation added.

The Paris tournament was one of the few in which the 2.04-metre (6ft 8in) 26-year-old Riner was due to compete before the Rio Games and the sole chance he will have to face his Japanese rivals.

Since the London Olympics in 2012, Riner has had a number of shoulder problems which saw him stop his season in 2013 and 2014 before undergoing an operation on an elbow in 2015.

After a winter break, Riner had kick-started training in early January before attacking an Olympic season that was to see him compete in Paris and then go on to the European championships at the end of April.
Source: AFP