Teddy Riner, left, is set to travel to Brazil this month to train at the Brazilian Olympic Committee training centre in Rio de Janeiro ©Getty Images

The President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) Paulo Wanderley Teixeira says the organisation feels privileged to be able to welcome French judoka Teddy Riner to the country to train.

Riner is expected to train at the Brazilian Olympic Committee’s training centre in Rio de Janeiro between February 17 and 27.

"It is an honour for the COB to welcome an athlete of the size of Teddy Riner to its home, which only proves the excellence of our facilities," said Wanderley Teixeira.

"I followed practically his entire career closely, having personally witnessed several achievements. For us, it will be a privilege to have Riner training with Brazilian judokas."

Riner is set to be accompanied by his coach, physical trainer, physiotherapist and sparring partner, and is scheduled to train with members of the Brazilian judo team.

High performance manager of the Brazilian Judo Confederation Ney Wilson Pereira explained arrangements for Riner’s visit were made during the Paris Grand Slam judo tournament earlier this month.

"Teddy Riner’s team came to us a few weeks ago saying he wanted to come train in Brazil and we met at the Paris Grand Slam, where we closed all the training logistics," said Pereira.

Brazilian Olympic Committee President Paulo Wanderley Teixeira said the organisation was privileged to welcome judoka Teddy Riner to the country to train ©Getty Images
Brazilian Olympic Committee President Paulo Wanderley Teixeira said the organisation was privileged to welcome judoka Teddy Riner to the country to train ©Getty Images

"It was a request from Teddy himself to come train in Brazil to prepare for the competitions on the IJF circuit.

"This makes us very flattered, as it shows how much the Brazilian judo school is respected and recognised by the greatest athletes in the world."

Brazilian judoka including double Olympic medallist Rafael Silva are expected to attend the training camp.

"Having an athlete like Riner in a camp is a great privilege," said Silva.

"I think the Brazilian heavyweights will enjoy it a lot. In my case, it’s always valid to join the heavyweights to train, because it’s hard to have many of my division training together.

"Here we have a great variety of techniques and fighting styles. It will add a lot to his training too."

Riner is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest judokas, winning gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games as well as ten World Championship gold medals.

He also owns one of the longest unbeaten runs in sport, winning 154 successive bouts between September 2010 and February 2020.

A further visit of French judokas to Brazil is planned for March, with members of the France women’s team set to join members of the Brazilian team for field training in Pindamonhangaba.