Teddy Pierre-Marie Riner was born on April 7, 1989, in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France. He began practicing judo at the age of five and quickly rose through the junior ranks, demonstrating exceptional talent and dedication. At just 19, he won his first Olympic medal, a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, signaling the start of an extraordinary career. Over the next decade, Riner established himself as the preeminent heavyweight judoka, winning multiple World Championships and Olympic gold medals, while remaining nearly undefeated on the international stage.