‘Ice man’ Vladimir Putin plays hockey in Red Square – By Sky News Newsroom (news.sky.com) / Dec 30 2018
Playing up to his “man of action” persona, the Russian leader takes part in an exhibition game with one of his ministers.
Vladimir Putin has been showcasing his ice hockey skills by taking part in a game in Moscow’s Red Square.
The Russian president got kitted out in pads and helmet alongside defence minister Sergey Shoigu and veteran players Vyacheslav Fetisov and Pavel Bur.
Image: Mr Putin occasionally plays exhibition games with some former players
Image: The president played on a rink near the walls of the Kremlin
Saturday night’s exhibition match was part of an amateur league that the president helped set up in 2011 and was played on an ice rink near the walls of the Kremlin.
TV pictures showed the president – wearing number 11 – scoring at least one goal.
“It’s a good kind of entertainment. I think this is a well-justified reason (to play hockey) ahead of the new year,” said Mr Putin.
The president has been filmed playing ice hockey before – with the fast, aggressive game providing a good opportunity to play up to his macho image.
Mr Putin’s tough guy persona has also seen him spearfishing, horse riding bare-chested, piloting a handglider, practising judo, plunging into a sub-zero lake and shooting a tiger with a tranquilliser dart.
【大人気】プーチンカレンダーがロフトで売上げ1位！羽生結弦や田中圭を抑えhttps://t.co/BmWLqdObSc
「著名人カレンダー」で全店舗合計1位に。購入層は若い女性といい、犬を溺愛する姿などのギャップが人気だそう。 pic.twitter.com/z19Xj6T2eJ
— ライブドアニュース (@livedoornews) December 12, 2018
The events are believed to be carefully stage-managed to appeal to the president’s huge number of supporters in Russia.
His exploits also make it into various calendars dedicated to Mr Putin – with the president’s “cuddly” side revealed in one month as he cradles a puppy.
The calendars are reported to be selling especially well in Japan, where website SoraNews24 said Mr Putin had achieved “an almost cult-like status among some Japanese women”.
https://news.sky.com/story/ice-man-vladimir-putin-plays-hockey-in-red-square-11594776
