http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/world/europe/chechnya-kadyrov-child-fights.html 2016-10-07 03:34:10 Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechen Strongman, Criticized Over Televised Child Fights Ramzan A. Kadyrov bragged about the ring exploits of his three sons, ages 10, 9, and 8, who won mixed martial arts bouts. === Ramzan A. Kadyrov The sons — Akhmad, 10, Eli, 9, and Adam, 8 — were among the fighters in a The child fighters, shirtless and wearing no protection, punched and kicked their young opponents in the head during the spectacle. All three Kadyrov sons won their bouts and received gold belts at the end of the tournament. Mr. Kadyrov, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday, bragged about their exploits, posted some of the fights on his But many Russians, including officials at the Sports Ministry, were not pleased. “Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is in hot water,” Fedor Emelianenko, perhaps Russia’s best known mixed martial arts fighter, said in remarks quoted by Russian news media that bouts with child fighters violated safety rules and “cannot be justified.” Mr. Emelianenko said it was unacceptable to show “little ones as young as 8 beating each other up in front of happy adults.” Although mixed martial arts is known in Russia as the “fight without rules,” there are some rules. Children under 12 are prohibited from competing in bouts, and any competitor younger than 21 is supposed to wear head protection. The official Tass News Agency quoted a deputy sports minister, Pavel Kolobkov, as saying that “we will found out about this situation and we will request information on this.” Whether criticism will have any effect on Mr. Kadyrov, who has a penchant for hyperbole and is a big supporter of President Vladimir V. Putin, is unclear. On Wednesday, Mr. Kadyrov was inaugurated for another term as Chechnya’s leader after having won 98 percent of the vote in an election last month. Wednesday also was the premiere on Russian television of a reality program starring Mr. Kadyrov that appeared to be modeled on the show of an American favorite of Mr. Putin’s — Donald J. Trump. The program, called “The Team,” emulates Mr. Trump’s “The Apprentice,” and features 16 contestants vying to become Mr. Kadyrov’s assistant.