He repudiated Putin in his favorite sport: after the suspension in the Judo Federation, one of its leaders dedicated a harsh criticism to him

One of the most distinguished personalities of judo in Japan He harshly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin, a personal friend of the Japanese judoka whom he described as a “coward” for the harshness of his actions.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, president of the All Japan Judo Federation, the largest judo association in the country, condemned the Russian invasion and joined the criticism of the world personalities against the Russian president.

“President Putin is a judoka and these actions go against the spirit and purpose of judo,” dijo Yamashita.

The complaint of the Olympic athlete, now retired, occurred on Monday, the date on which the balance of civilian deaths is counted at least 1,842, a figure that will inevitably rise because there is still no clear end to this war.

Yamashita has had a friendly relationship with Putin over the years, as they share a passion for judo and the ideals it represents.

However, because of the invasion of Ukraine, The International Judo Federation last month suspended Putin as its honorary president and ambassador. And in February, World Taekwondo stripped Putin of his honorary 9th dan black belt, which had made him a Grandmaster.

The relationship between the Japanese judoka and the Russian president has led them to share in different spaces and scenarios associated with judo, they even recorded an instructional video together in 2008 entitled: “Let’s learn judo with Vladimir Putin”.

“As a judoka, my sadness and deepest thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, as well as all judo lovers around the world”Yamashita added on his personal website.

Judo is one of the many sports practiced by Putin, who has always maintained a public image of a strong man and athletic leader, who along with hockey has shared the top of the Russian president’s preferences.

In 2000, the Kremlin leader visited the prestigious Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, the international headquarters of the sport, where he received the sixth dan of “Kodokan judo”. At the time, Putin said: “When I come to Kodokan, I have a peaceful feeling like I’m at home,” reported the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun.

He also described the principles of judo, respect for one’s partner or opponent, and self-defense, as tips for developing relations between Russia and Japan at a time when both countries sought to cooperate with each other as diplomatic partners.

Putin has indicated that he has good relations with Yamashita, even describing the 1984 Olympian as a “very good man.” With Russia’s offensive in the Ukraine, Yamashita couldn’t say the same for his former judoka.

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