Readers Have Their Say as International Judo Federation Strips Honorary Titles From Vladimir Putin

• The International Judo Federation has become the latest sports organisation to shun Russia and its president Vladimir Putin
• Having already suspended his honorary presidency of the federation for authorising military action in Ukraine, it has now removed all titles bestowed upon Putin
• Readers were unrepentantly partisan on the matter, whether they agreed with the decision or were against it

The stripping of Vladimir Putin's honorary titles by the Internation Judo Federation has split the opinion of many on social media.

Whether people were or against the decision, either way, they were passionate about the decision.

Clive Moldova said:

"He was now to old for the sport anyway"

Melusi Mkhize said:

"Ukraine president... what was he thinking allowing NATO military to come close to Russians when he knows they are enemies? My bet is NATO was going to invade Russia because they are so arrogant. They are the only ones allowed to invade countries as they please and throw sanctions. So it seems."

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Msimang Mlondi said:

"Stripping him doesn't change that he has mastered the art."

Siphelele Hlomuka said:

"You don't publish other sports bodies that are calling for fair treatment of sport personnel of Russia..."

Kwanele Biyase said:

"It was useless anyway coz he doesn’t have time to do karate busy with heavy guns machine"

Xolani Nokwe said:

"Russia and Putin should be ostracised as the despot that he is, the world cannot stand by while the free decent human beings want to live in peace."

Lethabo Thabo said:

"I go with comrade Putin"

Solly Map said:

"This world of today... I've heard they stripped him of his Christianity. They strip him as a man he is no longer a man they strip him everything."

Nhlakanipho Mackenzie said:

"So... are they going to take the skills he learnt as well?"

International Judo Federation strips titles from Vladimir Putin as sporting boycott of Russia continues

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The International Judo Federation has revoked the titles it once bestowed on Russian president Vladimir Putin and a trusted Kremlin-affiliated oligarch Arkady Rotenberg.

As reported on Sports Brief, several sports organisations have made the country persona non grata in recent days in something of a sporting boycott.

The federation's announcement comes as Russia's attack on Ukraine has killed hundreds of civilians and driven more than 1.5 million to flee into neighbouring nations.