Putin strips for judo injury

Updated on: 27 August,2011 07:55 AM IST |
Agencies |

He revels in his self-styled reputation as the hard man of international politics -- but even tough guys need a little help now and again.

He revels in his self-styled reputation as the hard man of international politics -- but even tough guys need a little help now and again.

Ouch, that hurts! Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin explains to
traumatologist Viktor Petrachenkov about his shoulder injury, which he
received during practising judo. pic/AFP

And when there's the opportunity to combine a presidential campaign photo call with taking his top off for a quick medical exam, there was no stopping Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin.

Putin was visiting a hospital in Smolensk, 250 miles west on Moscow, when an unsuspecting doctor inquired after the former president's health.

Putin promptly whipped his shirt and tie off to reveal a nagging shoulder injury, the result of a morning spent on the exercise mat, and instructed traumatologist Viktor Petrachenkov to take a closer look.

The photo shoot is all part of Putin's latest publicity drive to get him back in the Kremlin -- he is believed to be planning to stand for a third presidential term in March next year.

Meanwhile, Putin has been presented with a certificate entitling him to free taxi journeys for life by one of Russia's foremost motorist associations. The head of the motoring group, Vycheslav Lysakov, wasn't able to physically hand the certificate over but Putin indicated that he had received it.