International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation

Giving Up Is Not an Option
We had no electricity and no running water. We had barely begun to get a cell phone signal again. Our entire neighborhood was only at the beginning of a long, difficult recovery that would take more than a year.
But the date had already been set, and I knew I had to complete that chapter of my journey.
By the end of October 2017, I made the call to confirm my participation. Some people thought Hurricane Maria would stop me. It didn’t.
My flight was scheduled to leave Puerto Rico on December 9 at 7:00 PM, giving me enough time to arrive in Hartford, Connecticut, get some sleep, and prepare for several demanding hours of examination the following day.
But snowstorms delayed my flight.
Instead, I ended up leaving Puerto Rico at 1:00 AM on Sunday, December 10—the very day of my examination. I arrived in Hartford just in time to leave the airport and head directly to the location where more than a dozen black belts were waiting to test alongside me.
I had not slept that night. I had barely eaten breakfast. And I arrived carrying with me everything I had endured since Hurricane Maria struck in September, right up until the night before the examination.
Then the test began.
For more than four hours, I performed all 24 Tuls, 10 prearranged sparring sequences, board breaking, self-defense, and multiple rounds of free sparring—the final two rounds against two black belts simultaneously.
Several times, I felt as though I was about to pass out. I was exhausted, dehydrated, and mentally drained.
But I finished.
And I successfully passed my examination for 7th Dan.
Receiving my final technical rank from one of Taekwon-Do’s pioneers—one of the very few 9th Dans personally promoted by Taekwon-Do founder General Choi Hong Hi, and the first Korean to achieve 9th Dan—was an extraordinary privilege and honor.
The sacrifice was worth it.
Today, I look back on that day with pride, but also with humility. I now hold the rank of 9th Dan, and with it I feel an even greater sense of responsibility.
Never give up on your dreams and goals. Persevere. Work hard. Believe in yourself. But above all, trust in the One who placed within you what you need to succeed.
GM Jesús Alicea, 9th Dan
President & Founder
International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation

A little bit of Taekwon-Do during vacation. GM Jesus Alicea

**IATF HISTORY WAS MADE THIS WEEKEND!**

The International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation (IATF) proudly celebrates the successful completion of our **First International Instructor Course (IIC)** since the official establishment of our federation in **2023**.

Over the course of **16 hours of specialized training** conducted on Saturday and Sunday, **nine participants** representing **three IATF schools in Puerto Rico** successfully completed the program and earned instructor certifications according to their respective IATF classifications.

This historic course went far beyond traditional instructor education. Participants explored:

✅ The philosophy and technical foundations of Taekwon-Do.
✅ Scientific principles of biomechanics and their practical application to improve efficiency and power (Theory of power).
✅ Modern self-defense applications hidden within the traditional **Tul**.
✅ Realistic self-defense against armed attacks.
✅ Advanced footwork, balance, movement, and tactical drills for free sparring.
✅ Teaching methodology, instructor ethics, and leadership responsibilities.

At IATF, we believe that an instructor should be much more than a skilled martial artist. An instructor must be a lifelong student, an educator, a leader, and an example of integrity, professionalism, and service.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the instructors, students, and the **three participating IATF schools in Puerto Rico** for their commitment, enthusiasm, and support in making this historic event a tremendous success. Your dedication continues to strengthen our federation and our shared vision for the future of Taekwon-Do.

This is only the beginning.

Together, we will continue developing highly qualified instructors who honor the traditions of Taekwon-Do while embracing modern scientific knowledge and practical application.

**Congratulations to all our newly certified instructors!**

**International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation (IATF)**
*"Building Better Martial Artists Through Knowledge, Character, and Excellence."*

Separa tu espacio. Éste curso es requisito para la certificación en las diferentes clasificaciones de instructores dentro de nuestra organización. Debe confirmar su asistencia antes de éste jueves al 787-964-0276. El costo es de $25 por participante.

Separa tu espacio para éste curso, que es requisito para la certificación en las diferentes clasificaciones de instructores dentro de nuestra organización.

A mediados de los años 80 me puse un dobok por primera vez, sin imaginar lo que eso significaría para el resto de mi vida.

Como muchos, comencé siendo un estudiante lleno de sueños, dudas y limitaciones. Nadie me regaló el camino. Hubo entrenamientos agotadores, lesiones, derrotas, momentos de frustración y ocasiones en las que habría sido más fácil rendirme. Pero cada obstáculo me enseñó una lección que ningún libro podía enseñar.

Con el paso de los años entendí que el verdadero cinturón negro no se forma el día que uno recibe una nueva cinta. Se forma en cada entrenamiento al que asistes cuando no tienes ganas, en cada vez que decides levantarte después de caer, aunque duela, en cada acto de disciplina cuando nadie te está observando y en cada decisión de seguir creciendo con humildad.

Hoy, después de varias décadas dedicadas a las artes marciales, con un cinturón negro 9no dan amarrado en mi cintura, he descubierto que los títulos, los grados y los reconocimientos tienen su valor, pero NO son lo más importante. Lo verdaderamente valioso son las vidas que has ayudado a transformar, los niños que aprendieron a creer en sí mismos, los jóvenes que encontraron un propósito y los adultos que descubrieron una versión más fuerte de quienes pensaban que eran.

Las artes marciales me enseñaron que la fuerza consiste en conquistar la persona que eras ayer. Consisten en formar la mejor versión de uno mismo.

Por eso sigo entrenando, aprendiendo y enseñando.

Porque mientras tenga la oportunidad de ponerme un dobok y entrar a un dojang, seguiré intentando dejar el Taekwon-Do un poco mejor de como lo encontré y ayudar a que la próxima generación llegue más lejos de lo que yo llegué.

El camino nunca termina. Un verdadero artista marcial nunca deja de ser estudiante. Y mientras continúo enseñando y formando a las nuevas generaciones de manera apasionada, sigo buscando mejorar la versión actual de mí mismo.

GM Jesús M. Alicea, Presidente de la IATF

¿En qué año comenzó tu historia en las artes marciales? Me gustaría leerla.

Integrity Is What Remains
One of the greatest temptations in martial arts is to seek recognition faster than personal growth.
A title can be awarded. A certificate can be printed. A belt can be tied around someone's waist.
But none of those things can create character.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching. Honesty is accepting where we truly are, even when it is uncomfortable.
There is no shame in saying, "I still have much to learn." The real danger begins when we pretend to know what we have not yet earned.
A true martial artist understands that every rank carries a responsibility, not a privilege.
Your greatest achievement will never be the stripes on your belt, but the trust you earn from those who know you.
Protect your integrity more carefully than your rank.
Because one can be given... The other must be lived.
GM Jesús M. Alicea
President
International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation (IATF)

La Integridad es lo que Permanece
Una de las mayores tentaciones dentro de las artes marciales es buscar el reconocimiento más rápido que el crecimiento personal.
Un título puede ser otorgado. Un certificado puede imprimirse. Un cinturón puede colocarse alrededor de la cintura de alguien.
Pero ninguna de esas cosas puede formar el carácter.
La integridad es hacer lo correcto cuando nadie está mirando. La honestidad es aceptar dónde realmente nos encontramos, aun cuando resulte incómodo.
No hay vergüenza en decir: «Todavía tengo mucho que aprender.» El verdadero peligro comienza cuando pretendemos saber lo que aún no hemos ganado con esfuerzo.
Un verdadero artista marcial entiende que cada grado representa una responsabilidad, no un privilegio.
Tu mayor logro nunca serán las franjas de tu cinturón, sino la confianza que inspiras en quienes te conocen.
Protege tu integridad con más cuidado que tu rango.
Porque uno puede ser otorgado...
La otra debe vivirse.
GM Jesús M. Alicea
Presidente
International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation (IATF)