Photos: From Ping Pong to Judo, World Leaders Practice Sports Diplomacy

June 20th, 2013
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry heads an Afghan-made soccer ball toward the unseen captain of the Afghanistan's women's national soccer team in Kabul on March 26, 2013. (Jason Reed/AFP/Getty Images)
Then-Vice President (and current President) of China Xi Jinping kicks a Gaelic football as he visits Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2012. (Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden tries his hand at archery as Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold laughs during a mini-Naadam (traditional festival) staged in Biden's honor in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on August 22, 2011. (Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images)
On the same trip, Vice President Joe Biden faces off with a Mongolian wrestler during the mini-Naadam staged in his honor in Ullan Bator, Mongolia on August 22, 2011. (Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Image
U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron play table tennis with students of the Globe Academy school in London, England on May 24, 2011. (Paul Hackett/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. Ambassador to India Timoth Roemer plays basketball with Indian youths at a YMCA in Mumbai, India on May 11, 2010. (Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images)
Chinese president Hu Jintao plays table tennis at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan on May 8, 2008. (Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi winds up to throw a baseball to U.S. President George W. Bush at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, USA on June 30, 2001. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin shows off his judo skills against a Japanese opponent at a training center in Tokyo, Japan on September 5, 2000. (AFP/Getty images)
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Diplomacy isn't all fun and games.

Most people know about Russian President Vladimir Putin's judo training, but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's soccer skills and former Chinese President Hu Jintao's table tennis techniques are equally impressive.

Click through the slideshow above to see how these presidents, prime ministers and diplomats scored points around the world by playing along with local athletes and even one another.

With additional reporting by Liz Flora.

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About the Author

Profile picture for user Kathleen Caulderwood
Kathleen Caulderwood is an Asia Blog contributor and freelance reporter. She has lived in India and China, but is currently based in New York City studying at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.