Riner had not competed since clinching his second Olympic gold medal in the over-100 kilograms category at Rio 2016, before defending his world title in Budapest last month.

The Frenchman eased through the rounds in Croatia’s capital city, setting up a clash with Austria’s Stephan Hegyi in the gold medal match at Dom Sportova.

Riner was given a shido penalty to fall behind, but he quickly achieved a match winning ippon to maintain a winning streak that stretches back to 2010.

The bronze medals were earned by Japan’s Daiki Kamikawa and Romania’s Valdut Simionescu in the division.

Hungarian success came in both the men’s under-90 and 100kg competitions, with Krisztian Toth and Miklos Cirjenics topping the podium.

Toth emerged as the winner of the under-90kg competition, as he secured an ippon victory over Brazil’s Rafael Macedo.

Japan’s Yusuke Kobayashi and Italy’s Nicholas Mungai earned the bronze medals in the division.

A strong display from Cirjenics saw him emerge as the winner of the under-100kg division title, with an ippon proving enough to overcome the tough challenge of Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca.

Georgia’s Varlam Liparteliani beat Azerbaijan’s Elkhan Mammadov in the first bronze medal match, before Italy’s Giuliano Loporchio overcame Karl-Richard Frey of Germany.

There was Japanese success in the women’s under-78kg competition, as Shori Hamada clinched the gold medal.

The Japanese judoka achieved an ippon victory over her French rival Sama Hawa Camara, while bronze medals were won by Germany’s Luise Malzahn and Portugal’s Yahima Ramirez.

Bosnia’s Larisa Ceric won the final event of the Grand Prix, as she secured an ippon triumph over Lithuania’s Santa Pakenyte in the women’s 78kg gold medal clash.

Anne Fatoumata M'Bairo of France beat Britain’s Sarah Adlington in the opening bronze medal bout.

She was joined on the podium by Japan’s Nami Inamori, who beat Brazil’s Camila Yamakawa by ippon.

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