Mr. Rodriguez has been training in martial arts for over 30 years. He started his training in a middle school afterschool program studying USA Goju under Sensei Phil Mercaldi.
Mr. Rodriguez has earned the rank of 6th Dan in the system of USA Goju under Sensei Ben Kwiatkoski and Master Albert Gotay on May 7th 2014. Along the way, Julio Rodriguez earned his black belts Bushido Ryu Jujitsu and Kurai Ryu Jujitsu from Master Juan Amato in the year 1997 and Master Joseph Mandese in 2001, respectively. In addition, after spending over 10 years of his life studying the art of Taekwondo under Master Tony Morales, he earned the rank of 3rd degree in 1999. He is currently studying the art of Judo under Master Albert Gotay and Master George Pusiuk. Mr. Rodriguez currently holds the rank Shodan.
With the knowledge attained over the years, Mr. Rodriguez had produced more than 20 black belts in the art of USA Goju. Two of his top black belts, Mr. Pavel Pena (4th Degree) and Mr. Thomas Haywood (4th Degree) are currently chief instructors of the Riverdale YM-YWHA and Rye YMCA, respectively. He is the Head Instructor at the National Headquarters of USA Goju-Ryu Karate Do which is located in Hopewell Junction New York.
Mr. Rodriguez had the honor to display his martial arts skills by competing in several state, regional, national and international tournaments. After winning the Krane National Championships (Rhode Island), Puerto Rico Hot Summer Karate Champions (Puerto Rico), Diamond National World Championship (Minneapolis), Blue Grass World Championships (Kentucky), New England Open National World Championships (Boston) and the Great Mayan Challenge World Championships (Guatemala) in the year of 2001, he was ranked #2 in the NASKA World rankings. The success Mr. Rodriguez gained before, during and after the year of 2001, earned him a spot on the International Black Belt Hall of Fame in May 2006.
In 1993, Mr. Rodriguez earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics from Colgate University. Two years later, he earned a Master of Science in Materials Engineering from Columbia University. Mr. Rodriguez is a certified 7th to 12th Grade Physics and General Science instructor from the State of New York Education Department. Mr. Rodriguez is currently working as a public school teacher in Westchester County teaching Physics, Earth Science and Forensic Science.