Ronnie Watt receives his 8th Dan from the founding President Dr Fritz Wendland at a special ceremony at the WKC Congress in Belgrade

Aberdeen's most senior Instructor has just returned from Belgrade with one of Karate's highest honours. Ronnie Watt, who was one of the first Scots to receive his black belt in 1969, has been awarded his 8th Dan Master black belt after enduring a gruelling examination in front of a panel of six experts from around the world including Dr Fritz Wendland, founding President of the WKC, and

• Marko Nicovic (8th Dan Wado Ryu of the United Nations)
• Tomi Ochi (6th Dan Shotokan Japan)
• Joe Mirza (8th Dan Shito Ryu USA)
• Ladislav Klementis (8th Dan Gojo Ryu,Okinawa)
• Ilya Gouliev ( 7th Dan Shotokan, JKA Russia),
• Dave Friend (7th Dan Shotokan) South Africa.

Mr Watt said "The grading lasted some two hours and tested me both physically and mentally to the limit. Receiving my 8th Dan from such a highly qualified panel of international experts really is a great honour for me after more than forty years in Karate and is a pinnacle of achievement".

On his return from Belgrade Ronnie was awarded another 8th Dan and the title Kyoshi - "Knight" - by the International Shotokan-Ryu Karate-Do Shihankai