The world of sport is reacting more and more decisively to aggression towards Ukraine. Some world federations are still delaying key decisions, but not the International Judo Federation (IJF), which removed Vladimir Putin as honorary president and ambassador.
Putin is no longer the honorary president of the IJF
“In light of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of its status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” reads the IJF statement. Putin has a black belt in judo, and his country has a lot of influence on the world of this sport.
The Polish Union, which does not recognize Putin’s honorary presidency in the structures of the world federation, also spoke in this matter.
“In view of the shameful attack by Russia on independent Ukraine, the Polish Judo Union suspends cooperation with the Russian Judo Federation. The Polish Judo Union declares that it does not recognize Putin’s honorary presidency in the World Judo Federation. We are in constant contact with the authorities of the Judo Federation and we also declare to provide all possible assistance to Ukrainian judokas “- it was written in the statement of PZJ.
The president of Russia has practiced judo since he was a child. In 1999, even the book “Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin” was released, and he is its co-author. This is his favorite sport, and at the age of 18 he was even supposed to reach the championship level. Notably, Putin received his PhD in 2010, which is one of the highest pre-martial arts awards in Japan.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
