Founded in 2023 by Grand Master Jesus M Alicea with the vision of promoting Taekwon-Do beyond techniques and into life values, the International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation (IATF) blends tradition with purpose. Our mission is to develop martial artists who excel not only in the dojang but also in their families, workplaces, and communities. Through the ASAS philosophy (Alicea’s System Association of Taekwon-Do), we focus on discipline, respect, and personal growth while uniting practitioners worldwide. From beginners to masters, every member is part of a global family committed to character, excellence, and the true spirit of Taekwon-Do.
Grandmaster Jesus Alicea holds a 9th Dan Black Belt, awarded by the Chang-Hun Taekwon-Do Association Board of Directors and Senior Grandmaster Derman Hodge Sr, 9th Dan (ITF HQ). He is currently a member of the Chang-Hun Taekwon-Do Association, the ITFA, the Professional Kickboxing Federation and the UBBS.. GM Jesus Alicea is also an 8th degree black belt (Hanchi), promoted by Hanchi Jonas Nuñez Jr., President of the Professional Kickboxing Federation-USA.
GM Alicea has been teaching martial arts since 1989. As a successful competitor in open karate tournaments in Puerto Rico and the United States, often placing in the top three, he has devoted himself to developing his students' skills to the highest level. His students have demonstrated the technical quality they have learned under his guidance, both as competitors and instructors. He is also a certified Taekwon-Do referee with experience in national and world ITF Taekwon-Do tournaments, as well as open martial arts tournaments.
In 2014, GM Alicea was inducted into the USKF Black Belt Hall of Fame.
As a Christian Minister, GM Alicea has always been a passionate servant, willing to help others without boundaries.
The term ASAS was first coined in 1990 as an acronym for Alicea’s System Association, when Grandmaster Jesús Alicea began integrating different martial arts into his own system, rooted in traditional Taekwon-Do. After several years as an independent instructor, he attempted to transition into the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) in Puerto Rico. However, due to what he described as administrative bureaucracy, the transition was never finalized.
By 1999, after deciding to remain independent from international organizations—and with greater maturity and experience—GM Alicea developed his own philosophy of Taekwon-Do. His system focused on the integration of any practical self-defense technique and the consistent use of all techniques found within the Tul (patterns). Promoting humility and integrity, he redefined ASAS as a symbol of his personal philosophy: an evolving Taekwon-Do that promotes holistic development in every area of life. Thus was born ASAS Taekwon-Do (Alicea’s System Association of Taekwon-Do).
In the early 2000's, Team ASAS expanded into the United States. GM Alicea successfully represented his system at the CT Open Karate Championships (KRANE AAAA-rated), earning third-place finishes in both sparring and forms divisions. He also achieved first-place wins at the Connecticut Yankee National (IPPON-rated), both in 2007.
Giving federative affiliation another chance, he transitioned into the ITF system in 2008 through the Global Taekwon-Do Federation in Puerto Rico, which later became the Puerto Rico Jun Tong Taekwon-Do Federation (now the IJTF). He continued using the name Team ASAS to distinguish his schools, one of which he left established in Connecticut, now led by Sabum-nim Gilberto Acevedo.
In 2013, GM Alicea joined the Unified ITF, under the direction of GM Huang Sung Kwang (K-9-1), who later tested and promoted him to 7th Dan in 2017. In 2023, supported by his senior student Sabum-nim Acevedo and fellow UITF Puerto Rico instructor Master Mario Crespo, Senior Master Alicea founded his own international ITF organization.
After being promoted to 8th Dan by Okinawan Karate pioneer Meijin William Solano (through the Universal Black Belt Society, Korean Martial Arts Division) and by GM Derman Hodge of the Chang Hun Taekwon-Do Association (then affiliated with ITF HQ Korea), he officially launched the International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation (IATF). The inclusion of “ASAS” in the federation’s name distinguishes it from other ITFs, while reminding members to keep an open mind toward learning from all martial arts systems.
This approach encourages healthy, sustained development of traditional Taekwon-Do by putting its five tenets into practice and promoting friendship, cooperation, and mutual support among all ITF organizations—free from bureaucracy, politics, and other roadblocks that have hindered the growth of many instructors.
The term ASAS also reflects GM Alicea’s belief that for Taekwon-Do to continue expanding and becoming a powerful agent of positive change worldwide, organizations and senior masters must become facilitators—not obstacles—in the development of students into instructors, masters, and grandmasters. This means eliminating unnecessary fees, irrelevant requirements, and arbitrary bureaucracies that delay growth and weaken the future of Taekwon-Do.
In November 2025, this philosophy proved its strength and authenticity on the world stage. At the 3rd Chang Hun International Taekwon-Do Federation (CHITF) World Championship, held at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Team IATF Puerto Rico made its historic first appearance since the founding of the International ASAS Taekwon-Do Federation in 2023. With only fifteen competitors, the team achieved an extraordinary victory—winning 12 medals in total, including 3 gold medals and three new World Champions.
This achievement symbolizes more than athletic success. It is a living testament to the ASAS philosophy: that when Taekwon-Do remains rooted in integrity, humility, and perseverance, growth is inevitable. It affirms that adhering to the original system left by General Choi Hong Hi, while evolving through the moral spirit of ASAS, can inspire a new generation of practitioners to embody strength through character, not ego.
What began with just three schools—two in Puerto Rico and one in the United States—has now expanded to include schools and instructors in France, Morocco, Ethiopia, India, three in the U.S., four in Puerto Rico, and more to come. Together, under the banner of ASAS, we continue to grow—faithful to tradition, open to evolution, and united by a shared vision: to keep Taekwon-Do pure, purposeful, and alive.
