Olympic athlete was immediately disqualified

Georgian judoka Guram Tushishvili faced disqualification during the 2024 Paris Olympics after an incident against France’s Teddy Riner in the men’s +100kg category. Following Riner’s successful move in the quarter-finals, Tushishvili reacted poorly, appearing to push his leg into Riner’s crotch and then gesturing aggressively near his face while on the ground. The Georgian athlete further pushed his knee into Riner’s chest, prompting boos from the crowd. Commentators expressed shock at Tushishvili’s unsportsmanlike conduct, predicting his immediate disqualification. Consequently, he was banned from the individual and team events, losing the chance to compete for a medal.

The International Judo Federation condemned Tushishvili’s actions, deeming them against the “spirit of judo.” An investigation led to a 180-day suspension from all judo activities, lasting until February 2025. Tushishvili returned to competition at the European Judo Championships in April. Meanwhile, Riner continued his successful campaign, winning gold in both the +100kg and mixed team categories, bringing his Olympic podium tally to seven.