Russian President Vladimir Putin giving children a judo "master class" in 2005. Source: Associated Press

JUDO BLACK BELT Vladimir Putin has promised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he’ll try some yoga poses, despite feeling daunted by the challenge.

“I’ve tried so many things, but I haven’t tried yoga, though it is certainly appealing,” the Russian president told Modi during talks in the Russian city of Ufa.

I’ll see what I am able to do based on my physical aptitude. When we see real yogi, it seems impossible to reach such perfection, and that’s what stops people.

Modi is a well-known yoga fanatic, and recently led 35,000 people in performing poses like the half camel and cobra in a mass outdoor yoga session on International Yoga Day.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading 35,000 people in a yoga session in June. Source: Saurabh Das/PA

He is in Russia for the BRICS summit of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which started today.

The prime minister, who says yoga helps him work long hours, thanked Putin for sponsoring the International Yoga Day in Russia, adding that the activity should inspire everyone who wants to keep a healthy way of life.

Source: Jedimentat44

Putin, who has cultivated a strongman image, is a long-time judo enthusiast, enjoys hockey and has famously been photographed bare-chested on horseback as well as swimming the butterfly in a Siberian river.

Contains reporting by AFP.

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