Willie Nelson Is Now a Fifth-Degree Black Belt

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Willie Nelson, the country music icon who turns 81 this week, smiles as he receives his fifth-degree black belt in the martial art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul on April 28, 2014, in Austin, Texas

Image: Austin American-Statesman, Ralph Barrera/Associated Press

Robyn Pennacchia for Death and Taxes 2014-04-29 16:22:36 UTC

Yep. The 81-year-old Redheaded Stranger is attending a special ceremony awarding him a fifth degree black-belt in the martial art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul. Which means, I think, that 81-year-old Willie Nelson could not only take you in a fight, but possibly kill you with his own bare hands. Probably while very, very stoned.

Willie Nelson bows as he receives his fifth-degree black belt in the martial art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul from Master Sam Um.

Image: Austin American-Statesman, Ralph Barrera/Associated Press

Presenting him with the belt was Master Sam Um, a Seventh Dan Blackbelt whom he has been studying with for over 20 years in Austin, Texas. He had originally started taking martial arts classes as a thing to do with his family, but decided to keep at it even after his kids left the house. In fact, he's such dear friends with Master Sam Um that he even once starred in a movie that the martial arts instructor had written and directed, titled "Fighting With Anger.

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This article originally published at Death and Taxes here

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