🥋 The Untold Legacy of GM Raphael Vélez: 50 Years of Taekwondo Greatness 🌎

🥋 The Untold Legacy of GM Raphael Vélez: 50 Years of Taekwondo Greatness 🌎

Grandmaster Raphael L Vélez is currently an 8th DAN with the Korea Taekwondo MooDukKwan Association from GM Lee, Jong Hwan and has over 50 years’ experience in the Martial Arts and resides in Navarre, Florida.

GM Velez started his martial arts training at the age of 10 in 1973 under the American TKD Association in Queens, Flushing, New York. He later received his Black belt in 1978 at the age of 15.

In 1978, his family moved to Connecticut, where he began the art of Moo Duk Kwan, Tang Soo Do under the instruction of Grandmaster Walter Belsito Sr. (DAN #17029). GM Velez under GM Belsito also received his 4th, 5th and 6th DAN. He received his 7th DAN in 2007 and in addition received his Black belt in the art of Filipino Kuntaw.

GM Velez also trained with Grandmaster Robert Cheezic (MDK #2278) through the mid-1990s where he earned his 2nd and 3rd DAN. GM Velez was promoted to 8th Dan in 2023 by Grandmaster Jong Hwan Lee (President, Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan) and awarded 8th Dan in Tang Soo Do by Grandmasters Pedro Vangas and Moon Kim.

Education: GM Velez is a graduate of Argosy University, Charter Oak State College and Naugatuck Valley Community College. He holds a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, a B.S degree in Psychology and A.S Degree in drug/alcohol recovery counseling and general science.

Titles: 7-time ISKA World Champion, holder of the power breaking record: 16 concrete blocks with an elbow strike. Winner of the 2004 ISKA Triple Crown Championship and Arnold Sports Martial Arts Festival. GM Velez has been on the ESPN 2, The Late Night show with David Letterman and Good Morning LA.

HOF: Inductee to Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association. International Black Belt Hall of Fame Master Instructor of the year (1999) Inductee to Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors Official Martial Arts for “Lifetime commitment to Martial Arts” (2019). Inductee to Masters of the Martial Arts kung Fu Expo Hall of Honors for “Lifetime commitment to Martial Arts” (2019) Honored with GOAT Award for Lifetime Achievement in Martial Arts and Mental Toughness (2025)

Other outstanding contributions: GM Velez is the author of The Art of Mental Toughness: Employing Mental Strength in Martial Arts newly released book, available on Amazon.

 • Certified NRA/USCCA firearms instructor and SSI-certified Divemaster. At over 50 years in the martial arts

Grandmaster Vélez remains one of the very highest-ranking instructors worldwide in both Tang Soo Do and the Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association. Grandmaster Vélez represents the ultimate blend of physical power, mental resilience, and intellectual contribution to martial arts. His professionalism, integrity and his ongoing dedication and contributions to the Martial Arts community will forever leave a legacy for future generations. His Motto “It’s not what you say that endures – it’s what you do that changes lives forever.”

Personal Info about GM Raphael Velez Rivera

I first did the record in 2003 with 12. Then 2004 with 13 at US Open and 14 at Arnold Classic. Then 16 in 2008 at Mohegan Sun Casino.

I retired from breaking and competition in 2013 after winning the US Capitol Classics China Open sponsored by GM Dennis Brown. I have not broken in power breaking since 2017.

Since then I have focused my career in completing my master degree, building my school and building Kummooyeh ( Korean Sword ) with GM Moon Kim.

At some point, I may go back and train and maybe do power breaking again but right now my focus is also on taking care my mother. My father just passed so now I have my mother to care for.

Visit his website at https://alliancedefensive.com