MOSCOW, November 16 (RIA Novosti) - Vladimir Putin has been elected president again - but this time of a global organization promoting a sporting form of self-defense that originated in Russia.

The Russian leader has been made honorary president of the International Amateur Sambo Federation (FIAS), the federation's president David Rudman told a news conference Wednesday.

Rudman said the election reflected Putin's contribution to Sambo, a modern martial art developed in the Soviet Union that takes its name from a Russian abbreviation meaning "self-defense without a weapon." Although the president is better known for his judo skills, he is also a Sambo master of sports in Russia and was a recognized coach in the past.

The vote in favor of Putin was held at a FIAS Congress during the Sambo World Cup in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on November 12-13. The Russian teams won 8 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals.