On December 13, 2000, American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris was awarded an honorary 8th-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of Taekwondo by the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF). This was a significant milestone in Norris' martial arts career, as he became the first Westerner to be awarded such a high rank in Taekwondo.
Chuck Norris, best known for his roles in action movies like "Missing in Action" and "The Delta Force," as well as his television series "Walker, Texas Ranger," has been practicing martial arts since the 1950s. He began his martial arts journey with Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, while serving in the United States Air Force in South Korea.
Throughout his career, Norris has earned numerous black belts in various martial arts styles, including Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo. He also founded his own martial art style called Chun Kuk Do, which incorporates elements from different martial arts he has studied.
The honorary 8th-degree black belt awarded by the UFAF recognized Norris' significant contributions to the promotion and development of Taekwondo worldwide. The ceremony took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was attended by numerous martial arts practitioners and enthusiasts from around the globe.
In addition to his martial arts achievements, Chuck Norris is also known for his philanthropic work. He founded the Kickstart Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches martial arts to at-risk youth, promoting discipline, respect, and self-confidence.
The awarding of the honorary 8th-degree black belt to Chuck Norris on December 13, 2000, was a testament to his lifelong dedication to martial arts and his impact on the popularization of Taekwondo in the Western world.
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