Judo world and Olympic champion Teddy Riner recently stunned onlookers a while ago by bench pressing an astounding 507 pounds (230 kg) while casually sporting flip flops. The feat, captured on video, has sent ripples through both the judo and weightlifting communities.
Riner, known for his dominance on the judo mat, proved he’s no slouch in the weight room either. The French heavyweight, standing at an imposing 6’8″ and weighing around 300 pounds, showcased his immense power in an unconventional setting.
While many athletes meticulously prepare for such lifts with specialized equipment and perfect form, Riner’s nonchalant approach raised eyebrows. Fitness experts noted his technique was far from textbook, yet the sheer weight he managed to press was undeniable.
The choice of footwear particularly caught attention. Flip flops, typically reserved for beach outings or casual wear, are hardly considered appropriate for heavy lifting. Safety concerns immediately surfaced, with trainers warning against emulating such practices in regular gym settings.
Despite the unorthodox approach, Riner’s lift puts him in an elite category of strength athletes. To put this in perspective, as of 2023, the world record bench press without any equipment (“raw”) was set by American Julius Maddox at 355 kg (782 lb). While Riner’s lift was less than this, it’s important to note that he’s primarily a judoka, not a powerlifter.
Teddy Riner has made history in the sport. He is an eleven-time world champion in the heavyweight division and a two-time openweight world champion, holding the record for the most gold medals at the World Judo Championships with twelve. Riner is also a five-time Olympic champion, winning gold in the Men’s +100 kg event in 2012, 2016, and 2024, and contributing to two mixed team victories in 2020 and 2024.
Additionally, he has two Olympic bronze medals (2008 and 2020), is a five-time European champion, and boasts eleven Grand Slam titles. Riner maintained an impressive undefeated streak from October 2010 to February 2020, achieving 152 consecutive victories before suffering his first defeat against Japanese judoka Kokoro Kageura at the 2020 Grand Slam Paris.
This display of cross-disciplinary strength has sparked discussions about the potential for judo athletes in other strength-based sports. It also highlights the incredible physical capabilities of top-tier judokas, often overshadowed by the technical aspects of their sport.
Of course, Riner is a multi millionaire thanks to Judo and is uninterested in Powerlifting and Mixed martial arts.
U.S. bronze Olympic medalist and judo coach Jimmy Pedro recently highlighted the significant economic disparities between judo in the U.S. and countries like France and Russia. Pedro noted that the French judo federation has over 550,000 members and a budget of $20 million, while USA Judo has only 12,000-13,000 members and a budget of $1.15-1.5 million.
This financial gap affects athletes’ earnings, as top judoka like Teddy Riner earn over $1 million annually, surpassing the U.S. budget for all athletes.
Teddy Riner reaffirmed his disinterest in transitioning to MMA a while ago, citing a lack of morality in the sport. Riner emphasized his commitment to traditional judo values, stating, “Fighting in a cage doesn’t appeal to me.” Despite not pursuing MMA, Riner has achieved significant financial success, reportedly earning nearly 82 million euros in 2023 and boasting a net worth of approximately 245 million euros, thanks to investments, endorsements, and various business ventures.
