Dictator Vladimir Putin loves one sport ‘like a kid with Lego’ and ‘mo | World | News

Russian despot Vladimir Putin loves judo ‘like a kid with Lego’ and is a true sportsman, a former coach has claimed. The dictator, 71, takes great pride in his image as a strongman – and that extends to practicing martial arts.

Former Italian champion, Ezio Gamba, said: “For a man of 71 who doesn’t do judo professionally, Putin moves really well. I shared techniques with him and he respected my knowledge.”

Gamba, who won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, moved to Russia in 2009 to train the nation’s Olympics team before being promoted to run the country’s entire judo programme, the Times reports.

This coincided with Putin’s desire to promote himself as the archetypal Russian macho man despite his advancing years. This includes activities such as playing ice hockey and riding a horse bare-chested.

One of Putin’s more bizarre statements was saying judo could be useful for fighting off gay people as he said it is ‘not for weaklings’.

During an interview with legendary American film director Oliver Stone if he would be happy showering next to a gay man, Putin replied: “I prefer not to. Why provoke him? But you know, I’m a judo master.”

Gamba said of Putin: “He has always paid attention to the sport and would come and train with us twice a year.

“Those training were really enthusiastic about him being there. You can imagine the stimulus. You don’t have the president with you every day.”

Speaking of his brawls with the infamous dictator, Gamba added: “We would throw each other. I told him he was good for his age.

“He really paid attention to them [the moves], had a really curiosity about the sport and knew all the judokas by their first name. He was like a kid with Lego.”

When asked about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the strongman replied: “I won’t say if he was right or wrong, you need to ask him. You can ask me about judo.”

Meanwhile, Putin faces a revolt in Russia as calls grow for his resignation after fresh gains by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

Zelensky’s army now claims to control around 500 square miles of enemy territory, as well as capturing 100 settlements.

In a video address to Putin which was published to social media channels, an activist from a group calling itself the “Council of Defenders” accused Putin of treason and demanded his resignation.