It's a riddle that has baffled many, but now it seems we finally have an answer to the age-old question "who would win in a fight between Vladimir Putin and Chuck Norris."
The Russian President has been awarded the highest rank in taekwondo, eclipsing the martial artist and actor, who is reported to have an eighth-degree black belt in taekwondo.
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While on a visit to South Korea, Putin received a ninth-degree black belt from Choue Chung-won, president of the World Taekwondo Federation, Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency reports.
Only a chosen few have so far been awarded the highest taekwondo rank, known as "dan." Among them are presidents of the US, Indonesia, Honduras, Spain, Croatia and Pakistan.
Putin somewhat modestly said of the high distinction: "I'm not sure if I deserve this".
He went on to suggest that the event be seen as a promotion of "this beautiful martial art".
This isn't the first martial arts achievement by the Russian president, who also has a black belt in judo.
He was also reported to have released a martial arts DVD called Let's Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin.