Putin - is he good for Judo?

Say what you will about Vladmir Putin's politics, but there is one fact about him that is indisputable - he too is a Judoka. As seen on the left, from an article on the IJF's website, he recently met with Judo Legend Yamashita in Tokyo. Strange as it may seem, they talked about business and cooperation between their two countries, and Yamashita gave Putin the scroll in the picture, which reads - 'Yours and mine, may they thrive together'.

Putin was also recently made the honorary chairman of the European Judo Union. With all this Judo attention, I wonder if it is a good thing that Putin is involved in Judo. Sure he is a political leader, but not necessarily the most democratic one - by a long shot. But maybe his face can help recruit more Judoka and bring more attention to our art?

Is Putin good or bad for world judo? Please comment and tell me what you think?

Comments

Anonymous said…

Great post title. :-)

11/01/2006

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The Road to Nidan

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