Int'l judo association suspends Putin's honorary president status
Russian leader suspended as honorary president of International Judo Federation for Russian attack in Ukraine
Photo: Official logo of International Judo Federation
ANKARA
The International Judo Federation (IJF) on Sunday suspended Russian President Vladimir Putin's honorary president status at the world judo governing body for the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
"In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation," the IJF said in a statement.
Putin, 69, who has a black belt in judo, was awarded the eighth dan by the IJF in 2012, one of the highest honors in judo.
In 2008, the Russian leader was named the IJF's honorary president.
In addition to martial arts, Putin is passionate about ice hockey.
Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Thursday, days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.
He claimed that Moscow had no plan to occupy its neighbor, but wanted to “demilitarize” and “denazify” Ukraine.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy pledged to defend the country, the West announced sanctions against Moscow, including measures targeting Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
