Vélez Rivera, Raphael L.: - Grandmaster Raphael L. Vélez began his martial arts journey at the age of 10, earning his junior black belt in the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) during his teenage years. In 1978, his family relocated to Connecticut, where he began training in Tang Soo Do under Grandmaster Walter J. Belsito Sr. (MDK #17029). In the early 1980s, he also trained under the legendary pioneer Grandmaster Robert Cheezic (MDK #2278), continuing his development through the mid-1990s.Most of his master ranks were completed under Grandmaster Walter Belsito until his passing in 2013. Master Vélez received his 7th Dan from GM Belsito in 2007 and, in 2023, was awarded his 8th Dan by Grandmaster Jong Hwan Lee, former President of the Korean Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association in Seoul. He also holds an 8th Dan in Tang Soo Do, awarded by Grandmasters Pedro Vangas Jr. and Moon Kim.Throughout his career, Master Vélez has trained with some of the world's most respected martial artists. Now an 8th Dan and one of the highest-ranking instructors in Tang Soo Do and the Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association worldwide, he is recognized as a martial arts legend with over 50 years of experience. He has mastered several disciplines, including Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Filipino martial arts (Kuntao), and boxing.As a multiple-time International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Champion, Vélez is especially renowned for his power breaking skills, holding a competition record for breaking 16 concrete blocks with his elbow. He also earned the prestigious ISKA Triple Crown Championship in power breaking, winning titles at the U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships, the North America ISKA Championship, and the United States ISKA Championship. His combination of skill, dedication, and mental resilience continues to inspire martial artists around the world.In addition to his martial arts career, Master Vélez has served as a certified mental health professional for 27 years. He holds degrees in drug and alcohol rehabilitation counseling, general science, psychology, and completed his master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling.His unique teaching philosophy integrates martial arts, mental health therapy, and firearms instruction-instilling discipline, focus, and resilience in his students. He is certified by the NRA and USCCA as a firearms and AR-15 instructor, conducting professional firearms training with precision and responsibility.Adventurous by nature, Vélez is also a certified professional Divemaster with Scuba Schools International (SSI), regularly exploring the ocean's depths-pursuing mastery in every dimension of life, both above and below the surface.