JAKARTA – Russian President Vladimir Putin is known to have a high interest in sports. He also spends two to two and a half hours per day exercising.
Putin himself admitted about his habit of exercising. One of them was ahead of his visit to China in 2018.
"I dedicate about two to two and a half hours to sports every day," Putin told China Media Group as quoted from the Daily Star, Tuesday, March 8.
Among various sports, Putin is more likely to choose his favorite sport. He usually swims and then makes time for judo if there is a sparring partner.
“I also play hockey although not as often as I would like. It would be an exaggeration to say that I actually 'played', but I tried my best to play,” he said.
In addition, Putin also likes football. In the same interview, he revealed three footballers he idolized.
Besides Pele and Diego Maradona, Putin also mentioned Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin. Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or and spent his entire football career at Dynamo Moscow.
His penchant for sports has made Putin trusted to hold a number of important positions in the world of sports. However, the posts and positions that he held recently began to be stripped as sanctions for his order to invade Ukraine last February.
Putin is a black belt holder in Judo and he holds positions in the International Judo Federation (IJF). However, the position was removed from him on Sunday, March 6 yesterday.
In addition to Putin, the organization based in Budapest, Hungary also kicked out a Russian businessman and ally of the president, Arkady Rotenberg.
"The International Judo Federation announces that Mr. Vladimir Putin and Mr. Arkady Rotenberg have been removed from all positions held in the International Judo Federation," the IJF said.
Previously, Putin also lost his black belt in taekwondo. Black belt is the highest caste in this martial sport. The color of this belt symbolizes depth and maturity of technique and self-mastery.
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