That Vladimir Putin , he 's a baaad man . The muscle-bound Russian President rides horses while shirtless . He catches massive fish and gives them a kiss . He tranquilizes tigers . He also is apparently pretty good on the mat . Putin , 62 , has been awarded a karate black belt , the Russian Kyokushin-kan Karate-do Federation said Friday . In a letter to Putin , the federation said the Kyokushin-kan International Honbu decided to award him an eighth-dan , or eighth-degree , black belt for his `` contribution in promoting Kyokushin-kan karate in Russia . '' Putin , known also for his judo skills , had already been awarded a fifth-degree black belt in 2001 , according to the federation . Kyokushin-kan is a full contact form of karate in which no protective gear is worn and in which striking an opponent in the head with hands is not permitted . Putin in 2013 also received the highest rank in taekwondo , the ninth-dan ranking , giving him honorary grandmaster status , according to Russian state news agency Itar-Tass .
Russian-based federation says Vladimir Putin gets eighth-degree belt in Kyokushin-kan discipline . Putin , 62 , is quite the sportsman and already has highest rank in taekwondo . Score: 6