Bio of Master Alex Ziwak:

Master Ziwak began his formal training in the art of Tae Kwon Do at the age of 10.  Under the instruction of Grandmaster Yi (Lee), Master Suk Jun Kim, and Grandmaster Hee Il Cho, Mr. Ziwak has attained his current ranking of 7th Dan Black Belt.

Master Alex Ziwak is an expert in the following areas of the martial arts:

  • American Kickboxing
  • Muay Thai Kickboxing
  • Hapkido
  • Grappling
  • Point Fighting
  • Continuous and Olympic Tae Kwon Do Fighting
  • Traditional Open Hand Forms, International Tae Kwon Do Federation System
  • Creative Open Hand Forms including Musical Choreography and Advanced Kicking
  • Advanced Self Defense Techniques for Women, Children, and Men of all ages

Seminar Presenter – Nationally and internationally on a wide range of Martial Arts topics including:

  • Rape Prevention
  • Self Defense techniques
  • Very young children’s attention building skills 
  • Competitive fighting techniques
  • Competition tips and tactics 

Society Honors:

  • UNITAS distinguished service award
  • Town of Hamden Recognition of Achievement Award
  • State of Connecticut appreciation of service award
  • St. Jude's Kick-a-thon 1995-1998 major contributing school

Martial Arts Honors:

  • 2009 Central New England Karate Championship Hall of Fame
  • 2006 Ocean State Grand National Krate Championship Hall of Fame
  • Promoter of the Connecticut Open Karate Championships
  • Inducted into the 2005 U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame
  • Inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame for Outstanding Contributions in the Martial Arts
  • Master Instructor of the Year 1997 Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame
  • All-American United States Tae Kwon Do Team 1987
  • Rated in the top ten Northeast Fighters by The Professional Karate League
  • 1984 – 1990 Numerous National and International Championships in Point, Continuous, Olympic Tae Kwon Do Fighting, Traditional & Creative Forms

Mr. Ziwak has made numerous appearances including:

  • Appeared in movies including:Mr. Tambourine Man,Going The Distance Staring Drew Barrymore, Supporting Role in the film A Perfect Murder, Gravel, Frontman, Fight the Panda Sydicate, The Life & Times of Hunter S. Thompson and Live to Dream
  • Appeared in television series including: Law & Order Criminal Intent, Lights Out, White Collar, Damages, Law & Order SVU, Bored To Death, 30 Rock, Law & Order, Delocated and Life On Mars
  • Guest appearance in 1998 Tribute to the Masters with Wesley Snipes
  • Appeared in Panther Productions Tae Kwon Do instructional videos with Grandmaster Hee Il Cho

Feature Articles Appearing In:

  • Black Belt Magazine - 1996 School of the Month
  • Martial Arts Training Magazine
  • Tae Kwon Do Times
  • Inside Tae Kwon Do

 “Dedication to the values of honesty, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit for more than 25 years has brought meaning to my life and the lives of thousands of students I have worked with.  The practice of martial arts is a way of life I have been called to share.  My students’ growth as disciplined, values based contributors to our society is the life accomplishment of which I am most proud.”

Master Alex Ziwak
7th Degree Black Belt