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2024 Paris Olympics: Georgia judoka Guram Tushishvili suspended from competition after misconduct in loss to France's Teddy Riner

Tushishvili delivered a low blow and acted against 'the spirit of judo' after losing to Riner, who went on to win the gold medal in judo

kari anderson
Contributing writer
·1-min read
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Teddy Riner of Team France celebrates the victory over Guram Tushisvilli of Team Georgia during the Men’s +100kg Quarterfinal match between Guram Tushishvili of Team Georgia and Teddy Riner of Team France on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Guram Tushishvili was punished by the International Judo Federation for this low blow after losing to France's Teddy Riner. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

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Georgia judoka Guram Tushishvili has been suspended from future competition, pending a review, following unbecoming behavior at the Olympics, the International Judo Federation announced Friday.

Tushishvili was given a red card by officials for "action against the spirit of judo" following his loss to France's Teddy Riner.

Riner defeated Tushishvili on Friday by ippon, the highest score achievable in judo, in a knockout match in the 100+ kg category. Tushishvili did not take kindly to the loss.

The Georgia judoka reacted by putting his foot into Riner's crotch, kicking out slightly; Tushishvili also put his hand on Riner's head after flipping him to the ground, despite the fact that the competition was over. Tushishvili received a red card, the highest penalty, for his unsportsmanlike actions.

Georgia's Guram Tushishvili touches France's Teddy Riner's face after their men's +100 kg quarterfinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Georgia's Guram Tushishvili touches France's Teddy Riner's face after the loss — another unsportsmanlike action that led to his suspension. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Despite losing to Riner, Tushishvili could have gone on to compete in the bronze medal match; however, under the IJF ruling, the Georgia judoka has been suspended from all future individual competition until a ruling is complete. Tushishvili is also suspended from the mixed team event taking place Saturday.

Riner went on to defeat South Korea's Kim Minjong by ippon in the gold medal match, capturing his third gold medal in the event after previously winning in 2012 and 2016.