The 29-year-old Olympian Natalia Kouzioutina
Russian President Vladimir Putin is known for his athletic skills and holds a black belt in judo, his favorite sport. When confronted by 29-year-old judo champion Natalia Kouzioutina, however, she found it a bit difficult.
On Thursday, Putin trained with members of Russia's national judo team, which he often does. With a plethora of photographers and journalists following his every move, the Russian president once again demonstrated his skills, treating the champions "on an equal footing".
Kuzyutina was the only one who literally managed to "put down" Putin. "Kuziutina was more pressing than her male athletes. "She kept going and in the end she managed to lift Vladimir Putin over her head and throw him on the floor," the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets (MK) reported.
As for the reaction of the Russian president? "She was not upset, she appreciated her persistence. "He got up and kissed Natalia on the head", the newspaper notes.
It is worth noting that in the photos that were later made public from Putin's confrontations, there is no snapshot of his defeat in that confrontation.
The champion herself in a post on social media thanked Putin, who "after a complicated negotiation at the conference (for Syria), found time for a high quality training."
"I am happy to have collaborated with our country's first boxer," he added.
Putin was in very good physical condition and faced the other champions with more success. At some point, however, he injured his finger and needed medical help.
"It's a well-known medical event - the level of adrenaline rises in people who do physical activity, the mood improves and you see the world around you with a different eye. "I can say that it helps you to be real," Putin said after his training session.