Dr.
Michael DeFillipo holds a
Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Puerto
Rico and
a Bachelor’s Degree in General Business Administration. Dr. Michael
DeFillipo began
his Martial Arts training in 1972 in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Only
three years later opened
his first Dojang in which he taught under – privileged youngsters the
art of
TAE KWON DO to get them off the streets.
In 1996
Dr. DeFillipo received
a Special Volunteer Sport and Community Leader Award by the Governor of
Puerto
Rico, authorized by the Puerto Rico’s Senate.
In 1997
received the
prestigious Juan Ruiz Vélez Award for sports and community
service, for his
non-profit work in the Martial Arts.
In 1999 received the rare Award of Excellence
by the International Association of Karate KOBUDO from its President
and
Founder Grandmaster Carlos Díaz. He also received the honor of
being inducted
into the Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association Hall of
Fame in
this same year.
In 2000
Dr. DeFillipo was
inducted into the World Martial Arts League Hall of Fame in Frankfurt,
Germany
as American TKD Instructor of the Year. Grandmaster DeFillipo received
his
Doctorate in Martial Arts Philosophy from the E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A’s College
of
Martial Arts and Advanced Education also in September, 2000.
In May
2001 received the
Martial Arts Dedication Award at the I.A.K.K. and W.M.A.L Hall of Fame
in San
Juan, Puerto Rico; and in September, 2001 received the Master
Instructor Award
at the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame
in
Orlando, Florida. Also, in November the E.U.S.A. I.M.A.A. Hall of Fame
awarded
Dr. DeFillipo with the Martial Arts Dedication Award.
In
December of 2001 he received
his 6th Dan Black Belt from Grandmaster Chang Hwa
Park, also recognized by the
World Independent Tae Kwon Do Association of Germany, and Grandmaster
Klaus
Schuhmacher.
In 2002
Dr. DeFillipo founded
the Jeol Chung Juk In Tae Kwon Do Association, and in December was
awarded the
title of Do Ju Nim (Founder Head of Family) by The World Union of
Soke’s with
the Rank of 8thDan Black Belt.
In
this year, Dr. DeFillipo celebrated the 20th
anniversary of
DeFillipo Tae Kwon Do
& Hap Ki Do Academy (as PREPA TKD) receiving the prestigious Silver
Anniversary Achievement Award at the EUSAIMAA International Black Belt
Hall of
Fame Event in Pittsburgh, P.A.
In May
2003, he was inducted to
the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame with the Silver Life Award and
at the
World Martial Arts League International Martial Arts Awards in Missouri
as
Puerto Rico Tae Kwon Do Master.
Since
2003 to 2007 Dr.
DeFillipo has received numerous Martial Arts International Hall of Fame
Awards:
2003
Head Founder of the Year
presented
by The World Union of
Soke’s Hall of fame Cruise, P.R.
Silver
Life Award
presented
by The Illinois
Combat Karate Organization
Illinois
Martial Arts Hall of
Fame, Illinois, U.S.A.
Puertorican
Tae Kwon Do Master
of the Year
presented
by The World Martial
Arts League
&
Hutton Ryu International
Martial Arts Association
Black
Belt Hall of Fame, Kimberling
City, Missouri
2004
Pioneer Award
presented
by The EUSAIMAA
International
Black Belt Hall
of Fame, Pittsburgh, P.A.
Diamond
Life Award
presented
by The International
Jujitsu Hall of Fame
San
Juan, Puerto Rico
2005
International Award of Excellence
presented
by The EUSAIMAA
International
Black Belt Hall
of Fame, Pittsburgh, P.A.
2006
Diamond Crystal Award of
Spirit
presented
by The EUSAIMAA
International
Black Belt Hall
of Fame, Pittsburgh, P.A.
In May
2006, Dr. DeFillipo was
promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt by O’Sensei Carlos
Díaz, President
and Founder of the International Association of Karate Kobudo.
In 2007
Dr. DeFillipo received
9th Dan
recognition by Grandmaster Samuel Guerrios, president and founder of
Kazendo
Kan Kendo, and was promoted to 10th
Degree Black Belt
by O’Sensei Carlos Díaz, President
and Founder of the International Association of Karate Kobudo.
In May,
2008 he received the
American ITF Tae Kwon Do Kwang Jang Nim Award at the 2nd Martial
Arts
Black Belt Elite Awards, hosted by the World Martial Arts League from
Europe,
in Kimberling City, Missouri.
In
August 2010 Dr. DeFillipo
was presented with the International Platinum Lifetime Achievement
Award at the
World Martial Arts League Hall of Fame in New York. He was, also,
inducted into
the Martial Arts Magazine (Revista Artes Marciales en Acción),
Black Belt
Recognition Awards in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
In 2011
received a second
recognition from the Martial Arts Magazine “Artes Marciales en Accion”
as
Grandmaster Instructor Award.
In 2012
Dr. DeFillipo
celebrates his 40th year in the Martial Arts at his Dojang in
Y.M.C.A’s
facilities in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Grandmaster
DeFillipo would like to express his gratitude to all Martial Arts
Organizations, Sokes, Grandmasters and Masters who have given their
support,
recognition and above all, their friendship throughout all these years.
Our
courtesy and respect to you all. Osss
