Biography
Raphael Velez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His full name is Rafael Luis Vélez Lugo. He lived in Puerto Rico until the age of ten. As a young boy in 1968 he watched an episode of the television series “Batman and Robin” which highlighted Kato and the Green Hornet. Kato was a character played by the late Bruce Lee and it was then, like so many moved by the power and talent of Bruce Lee, that Raphael was inspired to become a martial artist.
Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with psychomotor epilepsy in early 70’s. Because of this illness his family moved to New York where he could get the proper treatment. After many years of medical care, he was told that he would never be able to play sports, let alone pursue the martial arts. Undaunted by the prognosis Raphael began his study of karate in 1973 in New York City with other friends under the American Tae Kwon Do Association (ATA). Despite the effects of a childhood disease and the doctor’s assessment of his condition, with perseverance and dedication, Raphael received his first black belt in the late 70's, went on to obtain multiple Master designations, win world titles, gold medals, and to make history in the sport of power breaking.
In 1978 his family moved again, this time to a small town in Connecticut. Tang Soo Do was the popular Korean Martial Art at this time and Raphael began his study of the form under the instruction of Mr. Wayne Palladino and Grand Master Walter Belsito at the YMCA in Naugatuck, Connecticut. They were his first mentors in martial arts. Raphael then trained under the Cheezic Federation in the mid-80's and received his third degree in 1990, under Grand Master Robert Cheezic.
In 1990, Raphael was chosen to participate in competitions in Russia,
Poland and Amsterdam with the Cheezic Federation United States Karate
Team, representing the United States and promoting better relationships
between the United States and other countries.
In 1992, Raphael was training under Master Woolridge in San Juan, Puerto
Rico where he received his Master. Master Velez had maintained a great friendship with Master Ralph Bergamo for many years and had been training on and off with him in the Rossi Kun Tao System. In May of 2001, Master Velez received his Kun Tao black belt through Master Bergamo, and in May 2002, he received his fifth degree (Master) in the style of Kar Do Jitsu Ryu-Karate through Grand Master John F. Manniel III.
July 4th weekend, 2004, Team Bergamo was in Orlando, FL at Disney World competing in the U.S. Open Martial Arts Championships. With competitors from all over the world, the US Open is one of the largest open Martial Arts tournaments. It is also televised throughout the year on ESPN 2. On that weekend, Master Velez did something that has not been done in the history of the sport. By winning the Light Weight division with a record Light Weight break through 13 blocks he became the first competitor ever to win the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) Triple Crown (United States Champion, North American World Champion and the US Open World Martial Arts Champion) of Power Breaking, taking the Championship at all 3 major events.
Furthermore, Master Velez won the 2004, Battle of Columbus Arnold Martial Arts World Game IV World Championship in the Light Weight division Power Breaking with a new record Light Weight and Grand Champion title by breaking through 14, (2x8x16) concrete cement blocks which is believed to be the most ever broken in a light weight competition and, wining the Power Wood Hand and Elbow-Grand Champion with a hammer fist by smashing through 12 boards.
He was named the Breaking King of the World (a title held by his team mate Master Drew Serrano in 2003). The event was held at 
the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Read the extensive list of Master Velez's accomplishments here.
Education
In June 1996, Master Velez graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy as a certified Massage Therapist and then obtained an Associate Degree in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Counseling from Naugatuck Valley Community College. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Charter Oak State College. Master Velez also attended Fairfield University and Naugatuck Valley Community College.