Tore biceps tendon forces Guillaume Elmont to retire

Guillaume Elmont announced his retirement from top judo. The 2005 World Champion tore his biceps tendon. Elmont suffered the injury since last Wednesday during a workout at work. The estimated recovery takes at least three months, which was decisive to quit judo at this level. The 34-year-old athlete was still battling for a ticket for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with Noel van ‘t End.

Elmont: "It is very unfortunate that there is a forced end in this way. I was on the right track and confident that I would qualify for the Games," said Elmont. "If you’re into judo for so long, you want to decide for yourself what is your last game."

In addition to his world title in 2005 Elmont won another bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships, five European Championship medals, two victories at the Tournoi de Paris and eleven consecutive national titles. Last June the elder brother of Dex Elmont became third at the first European Games in Baku. Elmont participated three times at the Olympic Games. In 2008 he finished fifth U81kg, since 2013 qualification for his fourth Olympic Games U90kg was his challenge. Elmont is the number 13 of the IJF World Ranking list.