World Taekwondo takes away Putin’s black belt the day after he lost his presidency of the International Judo Federation
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s honorary black belt in taekwondo was taken away today by the international governing body of sports because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
World taekwondo has said Moscow’s actions in Ukraine run counter to the sport’s vision of “peace is more precious than triumph” as it has taken away the Russian president’s honorary award.
Putin, who does not practice taekwondo, received the black belt of honor – an award given to those who have made significant contributions to the sport – in 2013 by World Taekwondo Federation President Chow Chung-woon.
The move comes a day after the Russian leader was ousted as honorary president of the International Judo Federation.
Putin, a non-taekwondo practitioner, received the Black Belt of Honor – an award presented to those who have made significant contributions to the sport – in 2013 by World Taekwondo Federation President Chow Chung-woon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends judo training at the Yug-Sport sports training complex in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, in 2019.
As Russian troops gather outside Kyiv and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees flee to neighboring countries, world leaders have imposed criminal economic sanctions on Putin and his closest allies, as well as Russian-related businesses.
The sports world had a similar reaction: Russia was excluded from qualifying for this year’s World Cup, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called on federations to exclude athletes from Russia as well as its ally Belarus.
World taekwondo, which runs international federations for the sport, was the latest to condemn Putin, saying Moscow’s actions run counter to the sport’s vision.
“In this regard, the World Taekwondo has decided to take away the honorary black belt of the 9th dan, awarded to Vladimir Putin in November 2013,” said in an official statement the Seoul-based organization.
It is added that official taekwondo events will not be organized in Russia or Belarus.
Russian vehicles are seen driving through the city of Ivankov, north of Kyiv, as Russian forces try to encircle and bomb it to obey, using increasingly brutal weapons.
Destroyed Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle seen next to spent missile shell in Kharkov, eastern Ukraine, which was attacked by “cluster” ammunition on Monday
As urged by the IOC, the flags and anthems of both countries will also not be displayed or played at taekwondo events around the world.
“The thoughts of World Taekwondo are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a peaceful and immediate end to this war,” it said.
Putin is not really into taekwondo, but instead is into judo, another martial art, and has long served as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF).
On Sunday, the IJF suspended his status as honorary president and ambassador for sports.
The governing body of judo said: “In light of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of the status of Mr. Vladimir Putin as honorary president and ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” the IJF said in a statement.
The IJF also canceled its prestigious Grand Slam, which was scheduled to take place in the Russian city of Kazan in May.
This comes after the International Olympic Committee called on all sports federations to cancel or relocate all international events in Russia.
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