Hi, I'm Grandmaster Julius Melegrito
A John Maxwell Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer who owns Martial Arts International school in Bellevue, Nebraska. As the visionary behind the Stix 4 Kids Program, Philippine Combatives”, and Sandata Self-Defense System, I am dedicated to imparting invaluable knowledge in the realms of self-defense and weapons proficiency.
I’ve had the privilege of sharing my dynamic array of self-defense and weapons programs with diverse audiences, including general populations, military personnel, and police forces throughout the United States and internationally to Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Russia, Croatia, Portugal, Japan, and the Philippines.
My commitment to excellence has earned me recognition from various publications, organizations, and prestigious hall of fame awards.
I hold a seventh-degree black belt in Filipino Martial Arts, a sixth-degree in Tang Soo Do/Tae Kwon Do, a fifth-degree black belt in Combat Hapkido, and a first degree in Israeli martial arts of Kavanah Krav Maga.
Leadership and Founder Roles
- President/Grandmaster – Martial Arts International, LLC (www.martialartsinternational.com)
- Founder of Philippine Martial Arts Alliance (www.PMAA.info)
- Founder and Program Developer of SIX 4 KIDS™ – Nationally Acclaimed Program endorsed by Martial Arts Industry Association (www.MASuccess.com)
- Founder of M.U.S.T System – Melegrito’s Universal Self-Defense Training Course
- Founder of World Korean Martial Arts Federation
- Director of “Advanced Self-Defense” – International Disabled Self-Defense Association
- Technical Director of Philippine Combative ™ Fighting System
- Stick and Knife Director – International Combat Hapkido Association
- Blunt Weapon Director – Federation of Israeli Martial Arts (FIMA)
- John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Coach & Trainer
Certifications and Master Instructorships
- Certified Tang So Do Master Instructor – Asia Tang Soo Do Federation
- Certified Master Instructor – Independent Taekwondo Association
- Certified Master Instructor – International Combat Hapkido Federation
- Master’s Council Member – Independent Taekwondo Association
- International Police Defensive Tactics Certified Instructor
- Certified Master Instructor – International Philippine Martial Arts Federation
- Hand-to-Hand Combat Instructor for Philippine Military Police, Marines, Navy and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Programs and Initiatives
- Stix 4 Kids
- Philippine Combatives™
- Sandata Self-Defense System
- Philippine Combatives Training Camp
Martial Arts Rankings
- 8th Degree Black Belt – International Philippine Martial Arts Federation
- 6th Degree Black Belt – Independent Taekwondo Association
- 5th Degree Black Belt – International Combat Hapkido Federation
- 6th Degree Black Belt – Asia Tang Soo Do Federation
- 1st Degree Krav Maga/Kavanah – Federation of Israeli Martial Arts
Hall of Fame Awards and Recognitions
- Knighted in the Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel- October 22 by Prince HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan AlNuman VIlI
- Hall of Fame International Martial Arts Instructor of the year 2000- International Martial Arts
- Hall of Fame World Head of Family Sokeship Council
- Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee for Best School National 2001 – International Martial Arts
- Hall of Fame World Head of Family Sokeship Council
- Hall of Fame MASTER Instructor of the year 2002- World Head of Family Sokeship Council
- Hall of Fame Inductee 2005 – Master of the Year – Budo Martial Arts Magazine
- Hall of Fame Inductee 2005 – Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts – Action Martial Arts Magazine
- Hall of Fame inductee 2006 – Lifetime Dedication Award to Philippine Martial Arts
- International Martial Arts Magazine
- Hall of Fame inductee 2007 – Excellence in the Preservation of the Martial Arts Ambassadorship
- Hall of Fame Award 2008 – Excellence in Promotion of Philippine Martial Arts – Martial Arts
- Leaders Summit
- Hall of Fame 2009 – Excellence in the Preservation of the Martial Arts Ambassadorship
- Hall of Fame Award Recipient for “Martial Arts Organization of the Year 2010!” – Action Martial Arts Magazine
- Hall of Fame Inductee 2022 – Grandmaster of the Year – Action Martial Arts Magazine
- Black Belt ® Magazine’s Hall of Fame Weapon Instructor of the Year 2011
Media Recognitions & Presence
- Featured on the cover of the Black Belt ® Magazine’s June 2012 Issue
- Featured on the cover of the Black Belt ® Magazine’s June 2017 Issue
- Featured in several internationally recognized magazines (Men’s Health and more)
- Featured in the very 1st Philippine Fighting Arts Video series produced by Black Belt® Magazine – www.BlackBeltMag.com