Vlad the judoka

Russian president Vladimir Putin might have to resist the urge to strip down and join in this afternoon during the judo finals. He's in London to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron but will be in the stands cheering as the Russian men grapple for another medal in the sport, which would be their fourth.

Russian Mansur Isaev, who won gold on Monday in the men’s judo, says knowing the president, a former head of the KGB, is watching keenly is a great inspiration and "has given us a stimulus to perform."

Putin, who has a black belt in judo, is no stranger to the team. He's practised with them before, when some of the world's finest judokas somehow let themselves be slammed onto the mat by their leader.