Mr. Casiano began his fighting experience on the streets. However, formally began his training as an Amateur Boxer in 1980 during his teenage years in Yauco, Puerto Rico. In July of 1991 he moved to Jacksonville, Florida after graduating with a Bachelors’ Degree in Sociology and a Minor in Education from The Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.
It was in Jacksonville where Mr. Casiano began his Martial Arts career. In 1993 Mr. Casiano began the realization of a dream as he started his martial arts studies at The American Taekwondo Association under ATA Instructor Eric Ekholm.
In 1995 Mr. Casiano earned his First Degree Black Belt in TKD. After that Mr. Casiano explored with other Martial Arts Styles such as Wing Chung King Fu under Master Anthony Arnett. Sifu Arnett created “Cheung Style Wing Chun”, a style that Mr. Casiano proudly and successfully represented in full contact Kickboxing Competition.
Mr. Casiano also briefly studied Shotokan with Master Bryan Porter and many other respectful instructors and lovers of the art. During the summer of 1995, by the request of some of his Nephews and Nieces, Mr. Casiano started teaching Taekwondo to a group of fifteen children and teenagers. Most of these children were part of Angel’s family. That was the beginning of Angel’s teaching career in Martial Arts.
In April 26, 1997 Angel had a spiritual encounter with his Creator that changed his life forever. On that date Mr. Casiano became a Born Again Christian. Shortly after that, he retired from Martial Arts as Mr. Casiano was given an article stating that there was no room for the mixing of Martial Arts and Christianity together. Convinced at the time that what he read was true, Mr. Casiano destroyed all of his trophies and photos and promised to serve One God; his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
For five years Angel did not kick nor punch in any school or Tournament. However, that was about to change! During the winter of 1999, Angel received a phone call from one of his lovely Nieces, Karen Martinez. She wanted to lose some weight and feel better about herself. At that time, Angel did not have any desire to teach nor to exercise himself. However, his wife wanted to exercise also, so he obeyed! Three times a week in the Family Room of his home, Angel would teach. Later, some of Angel’s sisters-in-law and friends joined the class. He began to see God touching people as he prayed for them and, for the first time, he saw that it was not such a bad idea to use Martial Arts for God’s glory.
In January of 2001, Angel was selected as the Young Adult’s pastor at his church, “The Father’s House International.” During one of his Bible Studies, Monique Bosque, the Senior Pastor’s daughter, asked Angel to teach a Karate Class just for fun. The first class was scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2001; so the karate began. In May of 2002, Angel became a member of The Christian Martial Arts Association under the leadership of Master Robert Graham.
In August of 2002, Angel officially registered the name “Good Fight Ministries” and initiated the process to create a Non-profit Martial Arts organization. In July 16, 2002 the ministry expanded its territory to The Carpenter Shop Church in Jacksonville, Florida. In January first of 2003, Mr. Casiano moved to his own ministry building at 1540-2 Monument Road. The Ministry grew to 115 students. During that time, Mr. Angel Casiano was actively involved in preaching, teaching and giving demonstrations in Churches, at the Florida State Prison Work Camp, Communities in general, Schools and Preschools.
In 2003 the Florida Hall of Fame of Martial Arts selected Mr. Angel Casiano as one of Florida’s Instructor’s of the Year. That same year he was aware his Second Degree Black Belt in Kickboxing. In May of 2004, Mr. Angel Casiano was inducted into the prestigious USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and received The Christian Spirit Award, given for the first time in history by this organization under Dr. Jim Thomas.
Later, Mr. Casiano united his ministry with a local Christian Martial Arts school with Master James Pierce. They formed United Martial Arts, as it continues to stand today in Jacksonville, Florida.
In July of 2004, Mr. Casiano answered the call to Pastor a bilingual church in Winton, North Carolina and had a short period of teaching at The Carpenter Shop Church in Ahoskie, North Carolina.
In December of 2004, Mr. Casiano’s wife was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in December of 2005, just six months after accepting the call to be a pastor. That was the beginning of a great valley of suffering for Mr. Casiano. Mr. Casiano returned to Jacksonville, Florida and later remarried and divorced.
In September 10, 2011 Mr. Casiano returned to the teaching of Martial Arts as he returned to the state of North Carolina. Good Fight Taekwondo and Kickboxing Academy proudly served Hertford and Gates County in the beautiful state of North Carolina. We reached over 150 students. Classes were held at Gates County Community Center, Vidant Wellness Center in Ahoskie and Ahoskie Christian School were our program became the PE Class for student from 5th to 9th graders.
In August of 2013 Mr. Casiano and his family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. The program is set to start in the Golden Heart city of Fairbanks on August 4th 2014. The name changed from Good Fight Taekwondo and Kickboxing Academy to Casiano’s Martial Arts. Classes will take place at JP Jones Community Development Center.
In November 15, 2014 Mr. Casiano was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt by the Gospel Martial Arts Union.
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