Teddy Riner Elected New President of IJF Athletes Commission

French Judoka and six-time senior world champion Teddy Riner was elected the new President of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Athletes Commission.

The 24-year-old Olympic champion was unanimously voted in by his fellow judoka and was unveiled to the crowd ahead of the final block in the team’s competition on the final day of the World Championships. 

Riner said: “I’m really happy and honoured to be elected as President of the IJF Athletes Commission. I will do my best to represent athletes at the international level I hope I will do a good job for them.” 

Riner takes over role from 1992 Olympic bronze medallist and two-time senior world champion Hirotaka Okada of Japan who was elected in 2009 when the Commission launched. 

Kayla Harrison of USA, sale Alina Dumitru of Romania, discount Teddy Riner of France and Kim Jae-Bum of Korea, were appointed to the commission by Mr. Marius Vizer, IJF President, a week ago at the Executive Committee meeting. 

Five athletes were also elected to the commission as Miklos Ungvari of Hungary joined Rishod Sobirov of Uzbekistan, Dieudonne Dolassem of Cameroon, Tiago Camilo of Brazil and Anthony Liu of American Samoa as new Commission members.

Mr. Marius Vizer, IJF President, said: “I congratulate all new members of the IJF Athletes Commission which represents something very important in the IJF. I wish them good luck and good team work to help the development of judo.”