Russian president Vladimir Putin stripped of taekwondo black belt over Ukraine invasion

Vladimir Putin has been stripped of his honorary taekwondo black belt over his country's invasion of Ukraine, a personal rebuke heaped on top of international economic and sporting sanctions. World Taekwondo, citing its motto of "Peace is More Precious than Triumph," condemned the Russian military action in Ukraine, saying the "brutal attacks on innocent lives" violated the sport's values of respect and tolerance. "In this regard, World Taekwondo has decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan black belt conferred to Mr. Vladimir Putin in November 2013," the governing body said in a statement.

Read AlsoSports world hits back at Russia: Multiple sporting sanctions for war on Ukraine

Sports bodies the world over, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and football's governing body FIFA, have announced sanctions against Russia, which can have far-reaching consequences for the country as a sporting nation in the future.

It added that it would join the International Olympic Committee in banning the Russian flag and anthem at its events. The decision comes after the International Judo Federation said on Sunday it would suspend Putin's status as honorary president and ambassador "in light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine". Other sporting organization such as FIFA and UEFA have suspended Russian national teams and clubs from competition.

Putin has demonstrated capable technique while appearing in martial arts uniforms, projecting an image of strength as he has in other carefully staged events such as those of him riding bare-chested on a horse or playing ice hockey. Russian forces bombarded Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, on Monday, drawing new sanctions from the United States and its allies as part of