Grandmaster Veronica De Santos

Grandmaster Veronica De Santos

Grandmaster Veronica De Santos, an 8th-degree Black Belt, is a trailblazer in the martial arts world with over three decades of teaching experience. As the founder of De Santos Martial Arts, established in 1988, she has dedicated her life to empowering students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Her unwavering commitment to the martial arts community earned her the esteemed title of Kwan Jan Nim—a Korean term signifying Master Instructor or Master of one’s house. In June 2022, she was honored with the rank of 8th-dan, a testament to her lifelong dedication and expertise.

Born in Guyana and raised as the youngest of ten children, Grandmaster De Santos faced early societal expectations that discouraged girls from pursuing martial arts. However, her relentless spirit led her to Toronto in 1975, where she pursued her passion despite the odds. She began training immediately, overcoming failures and setbacks with perseverance, earning her 1st-degree Black Belt in 1979. Her competitive journey flourished as she became Ontario’s Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1981, was ranked Canada’s No. 1 Female Fighter, and joined the prestigious World Atlantic Karate Team in 1987, competing alongside legends like Billy Blanks.

In 1999, she made history as the first woman inducted into the North American Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Despite her success, Grandmaster De Santos faced significant barriers as a single woman of color in a male-dominated industry. Many doubted her ability to run a martial arts school, but she proved them wrong by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where anyone—regardless of age, gender, or background—could thrive. Today, her academy has expanded to three locations, impacting countless lives through martial arts, self-defense, and anti-bullying programs.

Her philosophy is built on perseverance, determination, focus, and confidence—values she instills in her students daily. She lives by the principle of C.A.N.I. (Constant and Never-ending Improvement), encouraging others to push beyond their limits. Her message to aspiring martial artists, especially young women, is simple yet powerful: “Anything can happen when you are truly committed.”

A relentless force in the martial arts world, Grandmaster Veronica De Santos continues to break barriers, inspire future generations, and prove that with hard work and belief in oneself, anything is possible.

Grandmaster Jonathan Field

Cobourg Tae Kwon Do Ltd.

271 Spring St., Cobourg ON K9A 3K3

905-373-0032
 

Owner of Cobourg Tae Kwon Do Ltd.

Co-Founder of Empowered

Canadian Director for American Breaking and Combative Taekwondo Federation

Canadian Director for Kokoro Breaking Federation

Former USBA/WBA Local Director for Ontario Canada

Canadian Director for Black Dragon Association

12 Time World Martial Arts Champion

10 Time World Record Holder

Certified Instructor and School with The Superfoot System

Cobourg Tae Kwon Do

http://www.cobourgtaekwondo.ca

YouTube – www.youtube.com/sirfield 

Empowered

https://www.womenempowermenttraining.com

YouTube – www.youtube.com/empowered8083 

Ontario Martial Arts Symposium

www.ontariomas.com