Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a gala game, opening a new season of the Night Ice Hockey League in Sochi, Russia, October 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Reuters)
BEIJING, Oct. 8, (Xinhua) -- Wearing number 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday appeared in the Shayba Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, celebrating his 63rd birthday by playing a game of hockey with N.H.L veterans.
Passed the puck by the N.H.L. greats, Putin scored seven goals to lead his team to a 15-10 victory.
Putin, who has a black belt in judo, is not new to various sport activities, but he first tried skating only four years ago and once compared his skills to a "cow on ice."
But now, he has achieved great progress in the exciting activity and ice hockey has become one of his favorate sports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lifts a trophy as former hockey player Alexander Yakushev stands nearby after a gala game, opening a new season of the Night Ice Hockey League in Sochi, Russia, October 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Reuters)
In 2012, after re-elected as the president for the third time, Putin starred in an ice hockey game to following his swearing in, scoring a goal for the Russian Amateur team.
Earlier this year, the Russian president took to the ice in Sochi to lead the all-star team to an 18-6 victory, in which Putin himself scored eight of the goals.
Giving an interview to Chinese media in 2014, the president even said that after retiring, he would like to do what he likes, such as playing ice hockey.
