The All Assam Taekwondo Association has welcomed 460 athletes at its black belt promotion test ©Getty Images

A record high of 460 athletes are taking part in the black belt dan promotion test being conducted by the All Assam Taekwondo Association in the city of Guwahati.

Assam, a state in Northeast India, is set to host the next edition of the Senior National Taekwondo Championships prior to the National Games which is scheduled to be held in Goa in October.

"We are happy with the number of participants and I am optimistic that the game has a very bright future in the State," said the Association's secretary Hiranya Saikia.

Although World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation have different belt orders, the black belt is the pinnacle of both rankings as the tenth accolade to achieve.

Athletes must go through nine other ranks before being awarded the black belt ©Getty Images
Athletes must go through nine other ranks before being awarded the black belt ©Getty Images

It is possible to acquire the black belt in just three years, and following that athletes can then work their way through another set.

A first degree black belt is eligible to upgrade up until a 10th degree black belt. 

The All Assam Taekwondo Association only came into existence last month following a merger between regional organisations in the state.

Saikia, recently elected as the vice-president of the Taekwondo Federation of India, has claimed that the Association is set to upgrade its academy facility at the RG Baruah Sports Complex with the ambition of hosting more events in the future.