From left, Jeff Green, Master Brad Rogers, Master Mark Grupposo and Justin von Bosau celebrate Green’s and von Bosau’s successful completion of a black belt ranking test at the Westborough Doubletree Hotel last month.

By Rich Tenorio

Two karate students from Villari’s Self-Defense Center of Somerville were promoted to black belt rankings at Marlborough on Dec. 14.

Jeff Green received a second-degree black belt, and Justin von Bosau earned a first-degree black belt. The students train under Master Brad Rogers, a fifth-degree black belt.

The black belt is arguably the most famous ranking in karate. Many teachers of the Japanese martial art use a system of belts to signify rank, with beginners starting at white belt and progressing to a black belt through a series of tests, a process that can take years. There are also ascending degrees of black belt, beginning at first degree.

Villari’s Self-Defense Centers were founded by Fred Villari, who was inducted into the World Masters Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Grandmaster of the 20th Century.

The black belt test on Dec. 14 lasted for about three to four hours and involved 44 students total.

Later that night, after Green and von Bosau had received their new belts, they switched their karate gi, or uniform, for a suit and tie as they were honored at a formal dinner at the Westborough Doubletree Hotel with Master Rogers and Master Mark Grupposo, a 10th-degree black belt.

Villari’s Self-Defense Center of Somerville offers karate classes for children and adults Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (617) 625-5070, visit www.villarisomerville.com or “like” the school on Facebook.