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Putin sees Japanese martial arts show in Moscow

The event took place within the framework of the Year of Russian-Japanese exchanges in martial arts
Vladimir Putin and Fyodr Emelyanenko ITAR-TASS/Aleksey Nikolsky
Vladimir Putin and Fyodr Emelyanenko
© ITAR-TASS/Aleksey Nikolsky

MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin watched a show of the Japanese House of Martial Law Nippon Budokan in Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium on Saturday.

The event took place within the framework of the Year of Russian-Japanese exchanges in martial arts.

The Russian president was fascinated by martial artists’ performances in sumo, aikido and popular in Russia kendo, a modern martial art with bamboo swords and protective armour. But the most impressive were Japanese martial artists wearing Samurai armour and helmets who showcased their mastery over battle ready swords.

Putin was engaged in an animated conversation with head of the Japanese delegation Komura Masahiko and Russian retired renowned heavyweight martial artist Fedor Yemelyanenko and judoka Alexander Mikhalin.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin and other officials watched the event organised with the support of the Russian Sports Ministry and Moscow City government.