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MOSCOW — The World Taekwondo Federation has awarded an honorary 9th degree black belt to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin received the certificate and a taekwondo uniform at a ceremony in Seoul before wrapping up his visit to South Korea on Wednesday.

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While the taekwondo grade is symbolic, Putin has earned a black belt in judo, another martial arts discipline.

With the 9th degree ranking, Putin has passed the ranking of legendary martial arts superstar Chuck Norris, who only has an 8th degree black belt. Of course, Norris’s belt isn’t honorary.

The federation officials said they awarded Putin the 9th degree black belt title in recognition of his efforts to foster sports in Russia. The same federation awarded UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a 10th degree black belt in taekwondo, would could obviously best both Norris and Putin at the same time in a fight.

Russia has recently hosted a global martial arts competition in St. Petersburg.

With files from National Post Staff