New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin has been stripped of his honorary Taekwondo black belt for invading Ukraine.
“World Taekwondo strongly condemns the brutal attacks on innocent lives in Ukraine, which go against the World Taekwondo vision of “Peace is More Precious than Triumph” and the World Taekwondo values of respect and tolerance,” the sport’s governing body said on Twitter.
World Taekwondo said it will not organise or recognise Taekwondo events in Russia and Belarus.
Putin was conferred the honorary 9th dan black belt in November 2013.
The Russian President has often appeared at public events in martial arts uniforms, in carefully staged events. In other such events, he has dived into the Black Sea, seen fishing, appeared bare-chested, rode a horse or a Harley Davidson and flown a plane.
