Putin Throws Himself Into His Love of Judo

Russian President Vladimir V. Putin found the time and energy Sunday to indulge his passion for judo after a grueling three-day summit of the Group of 8 industrialized nations.

Fresh from a final round of talks with other G-8 leaders on issues ranging from arms control to debt, Putin, who holds a black belt in judo, visited a local sports center.

Removing his jacket and shoes, Putin went onto the judo mat to face his opponent, a Japanese boy, whom he threw. He then allowed himself to be thrown onto the mat.

Putin, 47, told the assembled young judo fans to persevere with their sport because it brings people together.

Ahead of the Okinawa summit, Putin told the media that his love of judo had given him a personal respect for and interest in Japan from an early age.

He said the principles of judo--respect for one’s partner or opponent and a feeling of one’s own worth--provided useful guidance for developing relations between Russia and Japan.

In December, on the eve of parliamentary elections, Russian television showed Putin in a judo outfit throwing an adversary and locking him in floor combat.

He says his favorite judo move is the deashibari, a swift attack aimed at knocking opponents off their feet.