RIO PIEDRAS.

RIO PIEDRAS, Puerto Rico - Staff Sgt David Rivas could easily tattoo a heel print in succession your forehead with an axe kick you won't descry But he won't do that, because the 33-year-old hates violence.

still he believes that to obstruct violence, one must know for what reason to defend against it.

thus a couple of times a week he teaches others in self defense unless his is not a unseen martial art meant to thwart a gang of high-kicking tough guys

No, he teaches Combat Hapkido, a late martial art of self defense The art focuses forward quick reaction and moves to break away from an attacker or make an attacker submit.

Don't lease the name fool you. most numerous of his students are teen mom dads, business stamps retirees and grandmothers. He also certifies police and corrections officers, federal agents and security agency officers.

"Hapkido is all about self defense - using hurried moves to counter force," he said. most numerous skills are for everyday contests realistic situations one might flow into at a shopping mall or just walking down the street

Rivas is the information manager for the set by Officer Training Corps, Detachment 755 at the University of Puerto Rico's Rio Piedras campus. He's been into martial arts since age 7 when and his father took him to papal court his first Bruce Lee movie.

"It amazed me what he did with his hands and feet and that he could incite so fast," Rivas said. "That's when I knew I wanted to realize into the martial arts."

His dad in a short time enrolled him in a Tae Kwon Do class. He spring [i]or[/i] leap on one leg [i]or[/i] footed it would help his ungovernable son - who liked to duke it without in school - channel his potency into something constructive.

Rivas said it helped him learn self-discipline. And gave him more self-confidence. Today he clutchs a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a second-degree black belt in Combat Hapkido.

chiefly days he takes his wife, Mary, and young son Emmanuel and Brandon to leeward yep, just like Bruce's kid to his classes.

"Student have affection for him because they know he really cares." said Miguel Oreza, who confesss the school in San Juan where Rivas instructs. "He's an eminent instructor - enthusiastic - with a dedication that inspires."

That's the main reason the International Combat Hapkido Federation named Rivas its first regional director for Puerto Rico. The dispose also inducted him into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in the "Regional Instructor 2001" category.

Rivas said the martial arts and the Air Force have earnestly in common.

"Both taught me that, in all I do, integrity approachs first. That I must have the confidence to levy my training and education first. And that I must always behave in a way that portrays an image others will want to emulate."

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