Kiss frontman Gene Simmons received a surprise earlier this week. He was presented an honorary Judo black belt by Teri Takemori and four time Olympian, Jason Morris (Ronda Rousey’s former coach).
Simmons doesn’t have any Judo experience and has never openly expressed any interest in Judo.
He was passing by New York for a promotional tour and was visited by Morris.
This is how it went down according to Judoinside:
Simmons was a gracious host to his New York fans by greeting them in the line outside the venue. During the meet and greet, Gene showed Jason some Judo performing Ippon seoi-nage and osoto-gari on him. Morris then presented Gene with the promotion and the duo had some laughs while Jason put the belt on Gene. Gene also impressively spoke a little Japanese to Teri Takemori. Along with the promotion which included an embroidered Black Belt and personalized certificate, Jason gave Gene personalized JMJC sweat tops for him and his wife Shannon Tweed.
Gene Simmons, is an Israeli-American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, actor and television personality. Also known by his stage persona The Demon, he is the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the rock band he co-founded with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley in the early 1970s.
Some Gene simmons fans were critical of him for accepting this honorary black belt:
