14 of April. Today the rector of the Japanese Tokai University, the Vice-President of the all Japan judo Federation Mr. Yasuhiro Yamashita received the Russian order of Friendship. The ceremony of the order took place at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan.
The decree on awarding the order for his great contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation, the development of cultural and scientific relations was signed by Vladimir Putin on February 13.
The medal was awarded extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Russian Ambassador to Japan Yevgeny Afanasyev. Afanasiev noted that Mr. Yamashita is an outstanding person, he glorified Japan worldwide, his personal example, he lit no heart beginners. The Ambassador noted that Yamashita, reaching the heights in judo, helps in this business to all comers.
Yevgeny Afanasyev also expressed confidence that Russia can share its experience with Japan on the occasion of the Olympics to assist in the organization of the summer Olympic Games 2020 to be held in Tokyo.
Yamashita in his response expressed the hope to maintain and develop good neighbourly relations between the two countries, not only in sport but also in art, economy and culture.
A little about the personality Yamashita
Mr. Yamashita is the Olympic champion, the quadruple world champion. He won 203 consecutive wins. He scored five gold medals from major international competitions. Yamashita takes an active part in the development of sports and cultural ties with Russia. He repeatedly visited Moscow.
Yamashita has actively promoted the sport of Sambo, which, incidentally, is considered a national Russian sport. He first trained a team of Sambo wrestlers to participate in the Japan summer Universiade in Kazan in 2013. In this competition, Japan in total, won three medals, including one gold.
