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Sarkozy limbers up for judo lessons from Putin
1 of 2. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Japanese judo coach Yasuhiro Yamashita hold a master class for the trainees at the Comprehensive School of Sports Mastership in St.Petersburg December 24, 2005.
Credit: Reuters/ITAR-TASS/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
PARIS |
PARIS (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a champion judoka, could soon be flooring France's Nicolas Sarkozy with some of his famous throws after agreeing to pass on some of his black belt skills to the French president.
"He (Sarkozy) is interested in martial arts and we have decided to do some training together," Putin was quoted as saying in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro published on Saturday.
A press officer at Sarkozy's office had no immediate comment.
The 55-year-old Putin's prowess in the martial art of judo is well documented and videos of him wearing his black belt and throwing opponents to the ground are easy to find on the Internet.
Sarkozy, 53, was not previously known to have an interest in martial arts. He has often been photographed jogging.
(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
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