Over his country’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin was stripped of his honorary taekwondo black belt, a personal humiliation on top of international economic and sporting sanctions.
World Taekwondo condemned the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, stating the “brutal attacks on innocent lives” violated the sport’s values of respect and tolerance.
“As a result, World Taekwondo has decided to revoke Mr. Vladimir Putin’s honorary 9th dan black belt given in November 2013,” the governing body stated in a statement.
It also stated that it would join the International Olympic Committee in prohibiting the use of the Russian flag and anthem in international sporting events.
The International Judo Federation announced on Sunday that Putin’s title as honorary president and ambassador would be suspended “in light of the current military crisis in Ukraine.”
Russian national teams and clubs have been barred from competing by other sporting organisations such as FIFA and UEFA.
Putin has shown capable technique while wearing martial arts outfits, portraying an image of power, just as he has done in other carefully orchestrated events such as riding a horse bare-chested or playing ice hockey.
On Monday, Russian forces shelled Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, bringing further penalties from the US and its allies as part of Russia’s worldwide isolation.
Russia refers to its efforts in Ukraine as a “special operation,” claiming that they are not intended to take territory but rather to damage Ukraine’s military capabilities and catch those it considers to be dangerous nationalists.
