Putin spoke English in public for the first time during the state dinner in Buckingham Palace in 2003.
One of Putin's favorite sports is the martial art of judo. Putin began training in sambo at the age of 14. Even today, he practices judo.
He also earned Master of Sports (Soviet and Russian sport title) in judo and in sambo in 1975 and 1973 respectively.
He also enjoys watching football and supports FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.
