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RIA Novosti
The Kremlin believes that the proposal by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to hold a demonstration duel on judo with Vladimir Putin intended to demonstrate the positive dynamics in relations between Moscow and Tokyo. This was stated press Secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov, reports “Interfax”.
“The offer was, but it remains to be seen how figurative it is,” said he.
Earlier on September 7, Abe, speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern economic forum in Vladivostok, proposed to be held in Japan show match with participation of the presidents of Russia and Mongolia, and Olympic champion Yasuhiro Yamashita’s. The Japanese Prime Minister in advance refused to get on the Mat, based on the reluctance to injury and the lack of black belts.
Putin has the title of master of sports in judo. In 2006 he became the honorary President of the European judo Union, and in 2010 he received an honorary diploma “Doctor in judo” South Korean University ENIN. The Russian leader also is a multiple champion of St. Petersburg in Sambo and master of sports in Sambo. He has a black belt in karate.
The President of Mongolia, Khaltmagiin Battulga in the late 1980-ies he was a member of the national team of the Mongolian people’s Republic in Sambo and judo. In 1983 he won a gold medal at the world Sambo championship in the weight category up to 52 kilograms.