Vladimir Putin stripped of honorary presidency by International Judo Federation

As the war in Ukraine reached its fourth bloody day, the International Judo Federation took a stand against one of its biggest advocates.

In a statement released early Sunday, the IJF stripped Russian President Vladimir Putin of his status as the organization's honorary president.

"In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation," the statement reads.
Putin authorized the unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Thursday. As of Sunday, fighting in the country left 352 Ukrainian civilians dead and another 1,684 injured, according to figures released by Ukraine Ministry of Interior. Fourteen of the dead are children as are 116 of the injured, according to the data. The toll doesn't account for military casualties.

Putin's passion for judo
Putin has a blackbelt in judo and co-authored a 2004 book titled "Judo: History, Theory, Practice." He attended judo competition at the 2012 London Olympics and enthusiastically celebrated Russian Tagir Khaibulaev's gold-medal run at 100 kg.