Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe take time out to enjoy judo

Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga were all in attendance for the International Vladivostok Jigoro Kano Junior Judo Tournament.

All three are keen advocates of the sport. Putin is a black belt, while Battugla was head of his country's judo federation and a wrestling World Cup champion in 1989.

READ: 'Judo saved my life'

Speaking to the press Japan's Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita at the Eastern Economic Forum, Abe suggested he challenge Putin to a judo contest, according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass.

Putin's love for judo has helped the sport develop a keen following in Russia, according to judokas present in Vladivostok.

'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN.

'And if your leader does judo and has an athletic title, and Putin is a master of this sport, of course this sport gets more attention.

READ: Five things we learned from the world championships

'That's why Russia hired a good coach from Italy, who assembled a good team and took it to a high level, internationally.'

Putin's love for judo has helped the sport develop a keen following in Russia, according to judokas present in Vladivostok. 'That's why Russia hired a good coach from Italy, who assembled a good team and took it to a high level, internationally.' 'And if your leader does judo and has an athletic title, and Putin is a master of this sport, of course this sport gets more attention. 'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN. Speaking to the press Japan's Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita at the Eastern Economic Forum, Abe suggested he challenge Putin to a judo contest, according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass. READ: 'Judo saved my life' Speaking to the press Japan's Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita at the Eastern Economic Forum, Abe suggested he challenge Putin to a judo contest, according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass. Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga were all in attendance for the International Vladivostok Jigoro Kano Junior Judo Tournament. READ: Five things we learned from the world championships READ: Five things we learned from the world championships 'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN. READ: 'Judo saved my life' 'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN. 'That's why Russia hired a good coach from Italy, who assembled a good team and took it to a high level, internationally.' All three are keen advocates of the sport. Putin is a black belt, while Battugla was head of his country's judo federation and a wrestling World Cup champion in 1989. 'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN. Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga were all in attendance for the International Vladivostok Jigoro Kano Junior Judo Tournament. 'And if your leader does judo and has an athletic title, and Putin is a master of this sport, of course this sport gets more attention. Speaking to the press Japan's Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita at the Eastern Economic Forum, Abe suggested he challenge Putin to a judo contest, according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass. Speaking to the press Japan's Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita at the Eastern Economic Forum, Abe suggested he challenge Putin to a judo contest, according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass. 'And if your leader does judo and has an athletic title, and Putin is a master of this sport, of course this sport gets more attention. Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga were all in attendance for the International Vladivostok Jigoro Kano Junior Judo Tournament. Putin's love for judo has helped the sport develop a keen following in Russia, according to judokas present in Vladivostok. READ: Five things we learned from the world championships 'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN. 'And if your leader does judo and has an athletic title, and Putin is a master of this sport, of course this sport gets more attention. Speaking to the press Japan's Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita at the Eastern Economic Forum, Abe suggested he challenge Putin to a judo contest, according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass. 'I think the fact that Putin loves judo does help it to be a more popular sport,' judo master Vladimir Sinistin told CNN. All three are keen advocates of the sport. Putin is a black belt, while Battugla was head of his country's judo federation and a wrestling World Cup champion in 1989. Putin's love for judo has helped the sport develop a keen following in Russia, according to judokas present in Vladivostok. All three are keen advocates of the sport. Putin is a black belt, while Battugla was head of his country's judo federation and a wrestling World Cup champion in 1989. Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga were all in attendance for the International Vladivostok Jigoro Kano Junior Judo Tournament. Putin's love for judo has helped the sport develop a keen following in Russia, according to judokas present in Vladivostok. READ: 'Judo saved my life' All three are keen advocates of the sport. Putin is a black belt, while Battugla was head of his country's judo federation and a wrestling World Cup champion in 1989.

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