Does Barack Obama know martial arts? Looking at his history in Taekwondo

Back when Barack Obama was the President of The United States, he was awarded an honorary black belt from the South Korean President, Lee Myung-Bak. This was merely an act of diplomacy and based on status, rather than Obama actually working for the belt like most people.

In politics, this gesture sometimes happens and is symbolic as much as anything. For example, back when Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro was voted into power, he was given a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt by Renzo Gracie. So, even though Lee Myung-Bak wouldn’t have been skilled in TKD himself, the point is based on respect rather than Obama putting the hours in training.

Of course, these status-given belts don’t sit well with some people who claim they discredit those who earn belts the conventional way. However, in the case of Obama there is a little credibility to his TKD lineage. It turns out that whilst he was a professor, he did genuinely earn a green belt in TKD. This is the fourth belt in TKD which means that Obama wasn’t a complete beginner, but he wasn’t an expert either.

However, standing at 6’1 (1.85m) you could make the claim that Obama has the perfect build to excel in martial arts such as Taekwondo. With his lanky frame and long-limbs, he would be the ideal build for the Korean martial art.

Want to develop a leadership mindset like Barrack Obama? Look no further than his best-selling book, The Audacity of Hope.