International Judo Federation suspends Putin as honorary president over attack on UkraineRussian president, Vladimir Putin, has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the sport’s governing body announced on Sunday, Agence France Prese (AFP) reported. Ukrainian officials said 198 civilians, including three children, had been killed since Russia invaded early Thursday. “In light of the ongoing war… 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,” read the IJF statement. Putin, an accomplished judoka who was awarded an eighth dan in 2014 — one of the highest levels in the sport, has been honorary president since 2008. IJF president Marius Vizer lauded him back in 2014 as “the perfect ambassador for our sport.”Putin has made much of his fondness for keeping fit with judo and ice hockey.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 28, 2022 01:08 UTC