Judo Klub Crvena Zvezda | Judo Club Red Star

During his official visit to Serbia and Belgrade, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is going to visit the Red Star sports club. Upon his visit, the Russian prime minister is going to attend the match between Red Star and Zenit juniors. Those who are familiar with the Olympic martial art know that the Russian prime minister has a judo black belt and he is the honorary president of the European Judo Union (EJU).

Besides numerous state affairs, Vladimir Putin always finds some time for his favourite sport. At one of the practices of the Russian National Judo Team, Vladimir Putin offered his help to the competitors of Zbornaja:

- If you need direct help, put me in the team – said Vladimir Putin on the occasion.

During his career as an athlete, Vladimir Putin won the bronze at the junior championship of the Soviet Union, and he was also the senior champion of the Leningrad region.

Putin’s sparring partners from the Javara Neva club, where Putin made his first judo steps, emphasize the prime minister’s specialty is the Harai Goshi technique.

The fact that during his official visit to Japan, he was a guest of Kodokan, where he met Yukimitsu Kano, the grandson of Jigoro Kano, the father of judo proves that he is completely committed to the sport he chose in his youth.

At the tatami of Kodokan, the source of judo, after a practice with instructor Mukai, the host complimented Vladimir Putin on his excellent technique.

The Russian prime minister is the author a book about judo entitled „History, Theory, Practice“. In association with the legendary Japanese champion, Yasuhiro Yamashita, the Russian prime minister issued a DVD entitled „Let’s Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin“.

After the disastrous earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan, the homeland of judo, Vladimir Putin invited the members of Japan’s team and their families to Russia.

- After talking to the members of the Japanese Judo Federation, I invited the members of the Japanese team and their families to Russia. We wish to show our support to our friends in Japan in this difficult situation – said Vladimir Putin.