Willie Nelson, 81, earns fifth-degree black belt

Here's some advice for when Willie Nelson slides off his sneakers personalized with the word "Texas": Don't mess with him.

The country music icon, who turns 81 this week, received his fifth-degree black belt in the martial art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul on Monday, parking his tour bus outside a studio in Austin of the instructor who began teaching him two decades ago.

Nelson wasn't put through his paces, but Grand Master Sam Um assured a packed room that the "red headed stranger" could hold his own against anyone.

As is typically the case wherever Nelson goes, other celebrities were on hand - this time Austin resident Lance Armstrong tiptoed past parents of other students to see his fellow Texan honored.

"Honestly, I was surprised to be getting this degree," Nelson said on his bus before the ceremony. "I don't know what else is out there. I never thought about anything beyond second-degree black belt."

He said a doctor gave him a clean bill of health earlier on Monday during an annual exam.

The singer gives martial arts a lot of credit for that. Although off stage he's better known for more mellow interests - like smoking pot - Nelson said he stays physical whenever possible. He's also a runner and avid cyclist.

"I'm pretty healthy at 81. I think a lot of it has to do with the exercise that you do," he said.

"I think martial arts is one of the best exercises you can do. Mentally, spiritually, physically, everything. I'm sure that's helped."

When Nelson initially showed up at his studio, Um said he worried about the musician's heart because of his age. Then the instructor got a glimpse of his lifestyle over the next 20 years.

"He has more stamina than I have," Um said.

(China Daily 04/30/2014 page10)