In an indication that his strong physique shows no sign of weakening, Russian President Vladimir Putin took to the ice in the Russian city of Sochi to play a game of hockey with some legends of the sport as well as players from the Night Hockey League on his birthday on Wednesday.
What does Putin do on his birthday? Lob cruise missiles into Syria + play ice hockey? http://t.co/DdG9NI9yqW pic.twitter.com/3ITf4sNvIA— Chris Doyle (@Doylech) October 7, 2015
Putin, who turned 63 on Wednesday, wore a traditional white, red and blue uniform with the number 11.
The focus! The power! The agility! 63? How, I say! https://t.co/N8OrJCqYr2— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) October 7, 2015
The Russian president took his place in a team with hockey legends Pavel Bure and Vyacheslav Fetisov, as well as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
To celebrate his birthday today, Putin will play with an ice hockey team pic.twitter.com/0bc81JZ5wN— Georgi Gotev (@GeorgiGotev) October 7, 2015
After talking rocket strikes on Syria from warships, a spot of birthday ice hockey for Putin pic.twitter.com/k3IvfMOq8y — James Marson (@marson_jr) October 7, 2015
A gala match ended with the score 18-6, with Putin netting eight goals for the winners.
The All-Russia Festival of Night Hockey League, featuring amateur ice hockey teams, is held in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.
It was set up in 2011 with the support of the president and Russian ice hockey veterans.
Comment: See also: Happy Birthday, Mr. President: An exhibition in London turns Vladimir Putin into Julius Caesar, Batman, Gandhi and other great leaders or heroes