7 th October

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has launched an instructional judo DVD.

The 56-year-old former president is shown talking about the history and philosophy of the Japanese martial art and demonstrating moves.

Let's Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin is a collaboration between Mr Putin, a black belt and former champion of St Petersburg, and former World and Olympic title-holder Yasuhiro Yamashita.

Mr Putin played down his involvement in the DVD, saying: "It is obvious the name conceals a publicity trick because, naturally, all who watch the video will learn not from your humble servant.

"They will learn from the true masters - Japanese athletes and Russian world champions and Olympic prize-winners."

Mr Putin's physical fitness added to his popularity during eight years as president, and contrasted with his hard-drinking and chronically ill predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, who died last year.

The Russian media has previously shown Mr Putin at the wheel of racing truck, baring his torso on a fishing expedition and shooting an escaped a tiger with a tranquiliser dart after it menaced a group of scientists.