 Messina at the moment possesses the Rank of "So-Shihan" (10th degree black belt) for all the world except Japan where he holds the rank of 7th degree black belt.The World Karate Federation (WKF) recognizes his rank of 7th degree black belt.He also possesses the rank of 1st degree black belt in the style of Iaido, "Muso Shinden Ryu".