During tenth international Nanbudo seminar in Marseille, France under the direction of Soke Doshu Yoshinao Nanbu, Nanbudo history was made, as Stéphane Carel from France was promoted to 8th DAN Hanshi. This is the very first 8. DAN Hanshi promotion in Nanbudo by Doshu Soke. Seminar has had attendees from six countries: Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Spain and France. During the seminar two high grade promotion ceremonies were also carried out by Doshu Soke, to Serge Salvai (for 7th DAN Renshi promotion) and Sergio Medina (for 6th DAN Shihan promotion). Congratulations!

French Federation of Karate and Associated Disciplines (Fédération Française de Karaté et Disciplines Associées) recently decided to award Yoshinao Nanbu Doshu Soke (10th DAN) with the 9th DAN grade, due to his lifelong achievements in promoting traditional Japanese martial arts and his own way of BUDO in France.
Most of the officials in charge of giving this high title to Nanbu Doshu Soke were actually (and paradoxically) his students in the past. Furthermore, this is the highest rank in the federation of this kind and the highest grade to be awarded and approved in France.

Congratulations!