Putin throws his weight around in DVD judo lessons

Published on Tuesday 7 October 2008 22:20

FOR a world leader renowned for throwing his weight around, it is a fitting educational film.

Vladimir Putin, Russia's combative prime minister, has unveiled an instructional DVD aiming to pass on his mastery of martial arts.

The show of force, entitled Let's Learn Judo With Vladimir Putin, showcases the man who has gained a stranglehold in Russian politics clad in white, performing an especially ruthless harai goshi, or sweeping hip throw.

The tutorial represents the latest public demonstration of machismo by Mr Putin, 56, who in the past year has sought to embolden his image courtesy of several rugged pursuits.

Only last month, the former president was lauded by the Russian media for supposedly saving a television crew from an untimely death at the jaws of a Siberian tiger.

Sedating 450kg beasts and the like, however, is only a pastime for Mr Putin, compared with his lifelong love of judo.

He took to the mat at the age of 13 and is now a white and red-belted sixth dan. He has held Russian national titles and is president of the Yawara dojo, where he practised as a boy.

Though the physicality of such a contact sport clearly holds an allure, it appears to be the philosophy of judo that captivates Mr Putin.

Describing judo as "the gentle way", a black-clad Mr Putin stresses the fundamental principle is victory through "measured, decisive action".