Instructors

Vincent A. Affatigato

Chief Instructor / Program Director | Taekwon-Do / MMA / Cardio Kickboxing / Personal Training

Master Affatigato is a 7th degree black belt with over 30 years of martial arts experience. He has been a national and international competitor, winning medals at the 6th ITF World Championships [Hungary], ITF Friendship Games [Yugoslavia] and numerous other competitions throughout the United States. In 1999 and 2001, Master Affatigato was the USTF National Grand Champion for 5th and 6th degree black belts. In 1991, due to Master Affatigato’s extensive travels for training and competition, the late General Choi Hong Hi selected him to film the ITF Training Video. Master Affatigato has had the privilege to train numerous times with both General Choi and Grandmaster C.E. Sereff. He is a Certified Master Instructor and International Instructor with the International Taekwon-Do Federation, and he has been teaching as a head instructor, at the Original Taekwon-Do Center in Brooklyn, NY for over 20 years. Also, for over 15 years, Master Affatigato served as an officer of the United States Taekwon-Do Federation. Master Affatigato’s knowledge carries an immense demand to conduct Technical, Free Sparring and Self-defense Seminars in the United States and abroad. Aside from his training, teaching, and competing, he has served as a Team USA Assistant Coach in the 7th & 11th ITF World Championships [Montreal & Argentina] and as a Team USA Head Coach at the International Taekwon-Do Australian Open Championship in 2003. In addition to his Taekwon-do teaching, he oversees and is the head instructor for the OTKD Center’s Mixed Martial Arts, Cardio-Kickboxing and Personal Training programs.

Christopher Knappenberger

Taekwon-Do / MMA

Christopher Knappenberger is a retired New York City police officer with over 30 years martial arts experience. He is a certified 5th degree black belt with the ITF and has attended numerous training seminars. He also holds a 5th degree black belt in Kardo Jitsu Ryu and has studied the Philippine arts. In addition to teaching for the past 24 years, he works with officers in the NYC Police Department on self-defense and hand to hand combat, as well as use of the baton. He is known for his strong fighting skill, gentle spirit and concern for his students.

Lance Ford

Taekwon-Do / MMA

Lance Ford is a certified 6th degree black belt with the ITF He is also a retired New York City Correction officer with almost 30 years martial arts experience. He was voted 1998 Adult Competitor Of The Year and has amassed over 50 medals in national competitions. In addition to training students at the Original Taekwon-do Center, he works with fellow correction officers on self-defense techniques. He is known not only for awesome fighting abilities, but also for his knowledge of grappling and submission technique.

Josh Knappenberger

MMA

Josh Knappenberger started in martial arts at age 5 and has over 20 years of experience in both training and competition. He is a certified 3rd degree black belt in Taekwon-do. In addition to Taekwon-do, Josh is experienced in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is known not only for his overwhelming strength and intensity, but also his passion for Martial Arts in its entirety. Josh is currently an assistant manager working with mentally and physically disabled adults.

“Korean Art of Self Defense” Taekwon-do is the mental training and techniques of unarmed combat for self defense as well as health.

Combines boxing, martial arts kicking, stretching and body conditioning in a one-hour cardiovascular / resistance / bag training workout.

The teaching and practice of a martial art is an important and delicate matter in the development and life of a child.

Combining Taekwon-do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling together to provide the most effective means of self-defense in realistic situations.

By definition, personal training is exercise that is as unique as each individual client.

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