As many may incorrectly assume, Koryo Do (KD) was not originated in Korea. Not to say that there may not be other ‘Koryo Do’ systems coming from other parts of the world, but that this system in particular is different from many others. Call it a clarification if you must as we don’t have the exclusive right of the “Koryo Do” name.
While it took a long time for KD to develop, its roots came from Puerto Rico and Grand Master Jose I. Delgado first training under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF) during the 1970’s. From 1975 to 1979, Grand Master Delgado’s primary instructor was Mr. Antonio Morales. Occasionally he had the opportunity to train with Grand Master Young Il Kong and Grand Master Benny Rivera. The conditions were perfect to shape a young man’s mind as ITF was fairly new in Puerto Rico and Grand Master Delgado was one of the first students of Mr. Morales.
During Grand Master Delgado’s time with the ITF, he was part of the full combat competition team and Coach of the Junior team. He also became President of the school and was an active participant in demonstrations and competitions. Occasionally he also taught self-defense classes and even had one private student, Jose A. Ramirez.
In 1979, Grand Master Delgado’s direct contact with ITF ended as he received a scholarship from the United States Air Force (USAF) to study at the University of Florida, Gainesville. By then the study and practice of martial arts was part of Grand Master Delgado’s life and it wasn’t long, before he organized his first group of students to teach them Tae Kwon Do. Although unknown to Grand Master Delgado, this was also where the concept of Koryo Do would begin to take shape.
In 1982, Grand Master Delgado was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF. While still active in the martial arts, the military lifestyle wouldn’t allow the establishment of a school. Regardless, Grand Master Delgado continued his training, even enrolling as a student under the American Tae Kwon Do Association (ATA). The ATA experience was a short lived. After the birth of his first son, Jose A. Delgado in the summer of 1986, Grand Master Delgado decided to go back to teaching.
Alas, the USAF had other plans, and another set of assignments limited the teaching opportunities yet again for Grand Master Delgado creating a time of exploration and growth. Training continued without a formal curriculum or students until his next assignment relocated to Warner Robins AFB, Georgia. It was in this base that Grand Master Delgado met Mr. James L. Bailey, who ended up playing a major influencing role in the creation of the KD system.
Almost on a daily basis, Mr. Bailey would approach Grand Master Delgado, querying about training with him. Finally, Grand Master Delgado agreed to start teaching after the birth of his second son, Emanuel Delgado. Emanuel was born in Mar 1990 and three months after, the Koryo Do School and system followed. This was the true origin of Koryo Do as Grand Master Delgado quickly recognized the need of lesson plans and the use of forms to guarantee that all students, regardless of age or class-type, covered the same basic techniques. To this date, the school still uses the same basic plans for its students.
Initially, Grand Master Delgado was assisted by Mr. Dominick Ortiz, who had the dual role of Assistant Instructor and Senior Student. Instead of formal uniform tops, Grand Master Delgado was content with the use of t-shirts for simplicity’s sake. The color of the t-shirt served as a student’s rank designation.
Again, Mr. Bailey’s influence became the key factor in the change from t-shirts and white pants to full Tae Kwon Do uniforms and belts. In the beginning, KD held classes inside of Grand Master’s very own garage with occasional activities at the base and other local organizations, but as the school grew from one adult class to one adult and a children’s class, so did the demand for more classes. The interest spiking so high to be a part of KD that it got to the point of Grand Master Delgado needing to start a waiting list for potential students.
*Last updated 09/2024
Eventually, it was decided to move the school to a local church. This move accommodated more students, but it was short lived as Grand Master Delgado’s military career responsibilities relocated him once again to Arizona. This tour of duty was somewhat more challenging and required constant travelling for which a school could not be opened in Arizona.
Finally, in May of 1995, Grand Master Delgado moved to St. Augustine, Florida. Within a matter of weeks, the school opened its doors and shortly thereafter, thanks to the assistance of Mrs. Wilma Rosado, there was a brand-new group of students ready to learn.
In February 1996, Grand Master Delgado promoted his first Blackbelt, Jose A. Delgado. Since then, the school has promoted a total of 18 black belts. All of them different, but in a way, similar.