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Former President Donald Trump was widely mocked on social media after he was awareded an "honorary" ninth-degree black belt in taekwondo at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.
The "ninth dan" belt, reportedly the highest level one can achieve in taekwondo, was presented to Trump by Kukkiwon president Lee Dong-seop, who was featured in photos posted to Kukkiwon's Facebook account showing Trump wearing a traditional taekwondo uniform.
Kukkiwon, a taekwondo governing body based in South Korea, also posted a statement attributed to Trump in which he thanked the organization for the honor:
"It is my honor to receive honorary dan certificate and I think taekwondo is magnificent [sic] martial art for self-defense. I wish to see Kukkiwon Taekwondo Team's demonstration."
The news soon attracted the attention of decorated mixed martial arts fighter Nathan Quarry, who said the award amounted to little more than a participation trophy.
While Kid Rock is pontificating on participation trophies here’s Trump getting an “honorary” black belt.
(Notice the pic in the back) pic.twitter.com/BUj5QA7B6u
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) November 22, 2021
Others agreed and offered criticisms of their own.
he’s not a real person he’s just a fake cartoon character https://t.co/39S2NWWJv3
— mindfloww (@mindfloww_) November 24, 2021
And now having a black belt has lost all meaning... https://t.co/XglwI3QEAa
— Cameron (@Cameron45983011) November 27, 2021
What an asinine little man. I’m embarrassed for him. NOT https://t.co/MnAr2Wpvi6
— Eileen (@newdaydawning1) November 24, 2021
Words have lost all meaning. https://t.co/7dYfQwZah5
— April the Chaotic Good ❤️🔥 (@NeuroPoetica) November 24, 2021
let’s fucking test that honorary black belt Donald Trump, lets fucking test it https://t.co/brS6t70Kq3
— little debbie factory (@getbetterl8ter) November 23, 2021
Ugh! He doesn’t even look like could handle passing his test for a white belt. I wonder if I’m allowed to test him on if he even deserves that black belt or if it’s just something he cashed tax payer dollars on (which he definitely did). https://t.co/LmZT8bhQlg
— Shattered Reaper (Commissions Open) (@ShatteredReaper) November 23, 2021
As a former green belt of Taekwondo, this disgusts me. But then again, he's given an "honorary" belt, so it's a huge participation trophy https://t.co/viLvi2fGCI
— Moon Spirit (@MoonSpirit09) November 23, 2021
This is the guy who complains about kids getting participation trophies in sports https://t.co/aFsLhVtbAF
— Cameron 🌈🧠 (@autie_cam) November 23, 2021
Asian American news site NextShark, pointed out that in receiving the title, Trump now outranks martial artist Chuck Norris, who never advanced his eighth-degree taekwondo black belt.
Also outranking Chuck Norris: Russian President Vladimir Putin, who received the same belt and the title of grandmaster in 2013.
Trump has made headlines in the past for receiving awards that have been denigrated as participation trophies.
In April, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) awarded Trump an inaugural Champion for Freedom award, which the organization said is awarded to those "who have worked tirelessly to create good jobs, protect the values that make our country great."
The award was bestowed on Trump by Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the NRSC and was forced to defend his decision after receiving heavy criticism from other politicians on social media.
Scott insisted he presented the award to Trump for "the right reasons," a statement that prompted George Stephanopoulos, the host of ABC News' This Week, to note that Trump received the award "despite the fact he continues to spread lies" about the 2020 general election and the January 6 insurrection.