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| Putin Held Up by Taekwondo Bash |
| 2013-11-15 |
Russian President Vladimir Putin was late to his meeting with President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday because he was given an honorary ninth-degree black belt at his hotel.
The World Taekwondo Federation said "a ceremony" was held at the Lotte Hotel at 1 p.m. that day awarding Putin the black belt and a Taekwondo uniform.
 The Russian president is keen on conspicuous displays of manliness but does not practice the sport.
| That's okay, our president pretends to play golf. And I don't think he worries a bit about appearing manly... |
A federation official said the organization contacted Putin about giving him the honorary black belt and that the Russian leader "decided at the last minute on Wednesday morning" to receive it. |
| Posted by:Steve White |