Andrew "Butch" Velez, III
Shihan
AGK - Kaicho
Butch Velez, Shihan, began his martial arts training in the mid sixties. At that time, Ju jitsu and karate were taught in the same school, but with separate ranks.
While in the U.S. Army, Shihan Velez traveled to Vietnam where
he studied Mooduk Kwan from 1969-1970. He was also fortunate to have the
opportunity to travel to Japan to study Ju Jitsu. After his military
service, Shihan Velez returned to Japan as a civilian for additional training.
Between the years 1974 and 1980 he also sponsored a noted soke (master) to the
U.S.A.
each year. each year. However, in 1980 Shihan Velez withdrew his ties with
Japan because of personal frustrations with the U.S. based organizations.
It was at this time he founded the American Goshin Budo and Kobudo Kai (AGK)
organization. A year later American Shi-Toh-Ryu Karate-Do was added.
Since its inception, Shihan Velez has established AGK schools throughout the United States as a voluntary franchise. To date, 52 charters have been issued, with directors, representatives, advisors and training seminars being the key to promoting AGK.
Shihan Velez is best known for introducing Ju Jitsu into karate schools and showing similarities between the two arts. In the karate world, he is known for teaching kata and bunkai (practical application) and teaching similarities of the bunkai and Ju Jitsu basics. Shihan Velez also teaches an expanded number of Japanese/Okinawan kobudo (weapons)...Bo (kuan), Jo, Tonfa, Sai, Kama, and Iaido (drawing and returning the sword). One of Shihan Velez's main goals is to keep American Martial Arts schools well rounded--to have something for everyone. It's a lifetime of training.