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This was the first time that such a high-level official judo competition took place in Moscow for the last 20 years. Europe’s top sportspeople competed for medals in the most prestigious and spectacular categories.

Following the European Judo Championship finals, Mr Putin took part in awarding the tournament winners. The President awarded gold medals to winner of the women’s tournament Anne-Sophie Mondiere of France, and to winner of the men’s tournament Tamerlan Tmenov.

President of the European Judo Union Marius Vizer gave Mr Putin a certificate conferring the title of honorary president of the European Judo Union. Mr Putin thanked Mr Vizer and all the delegates for their decision.

In a brief address, Mr Putin noted that judo has now become an international sport that attracts millions of people, children and adults, men and women.

Following the awards ceremony, Mr Putin chatted over a cup of tea with his first judo trainer, Anatoly Rakhlin. The President then had a meeting with Mr Vizer and with the heads of the Russian and European judo unions.