Putin awarded eighth dan by international body

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) welcomes Russia's national judo team in Sochi August 11, 2012.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, who possesses a black belt in judo, has been awarded the eighth dan, one of the sport's highest honors, by the International Judo Federation (IJF).

"Being the Honorary President of the IJF, an Emeritus and recognized judoka, and having the stature of the Head of State of a pre-eminent country, Vladimir Putin is the perfect ambassador for our sport," IJF president Marius Vizer said in a letter released on Wednesday.

Putin, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Sunday, was named the IJF's honorary president in 2008.

"It is a great honour for our international federation, as well as for the entire judo community, to count among us a very high personality of his reputation and standing," Vizer said.

"President Putin represents a high expression of the judo values in the world."

Putin is the first Russian to have been awarded the eighth dan, joining a handful of judo fighters in the world who have achieved such status.

Russia's Alexander Mikhailin, who has won three world heavyweight titles and also claimed the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, has a sixth dan.

(Reporting By Gennady Fyodorov; Editing by John Mehaffey)