The harmony between people and their surroundings advocated by judo masters is also a guiding principle for Russian politics, President Vladimir Putin — a keen adept of the ancient martial art — said on Tuesday.
“The slogan of judo is … ‘Harmony with the surrounding world and with yourself’,” Putin said at a news conference in Moscow.
“It’s a good philosophical basis for achieving your aims in any sphere. … We in Russia are going to do everything to operate according to this principle in politics and sport,” he added.
Putin, a black belt who regularly practices judo in the Kremlin, is occasionally shown on Russian television helping train young enthusiasts of the martial art.
His favourite move is a sweep of the leg, known as Haraigoshi, which causes the opponent to fall.
Putin has written a book on judo, which he learned in his native city of Saint Petersburg before enrolling for the KGB intelligence service and serving as a secret agent in the former East Germany.
“I really like this sport. I think it’s a part of world culture,” Putin said on Tuesday. – AFP