Mr. Melendez was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1958, to Amalia and Antonio Melendez, of Puerto Rico. He began his official Martial Arts training in 1970 learning Golden Eagle Kung Fu in China Town, NY. In 1972 he began training at the local YMCA in Williamsburg Brooklyn. There, renowned instructor and competitor, Master Thomas LaPuppet, instructed him in the art of Shotokan Karate. One year later he would travel an hour and a half, one way by public transportation to Master LaPuppet’s dojo in Brooklyn, NY where he trained for over two years.


In 1974, Mr. Melendez joined the Ying Yee Kwoon Karate Dojo, blocks away from his home in Williamsburg. Ying Yee was one of the premiere dojo's on the East Coast, offering both Hung Gar and Goju training under the auspices of Anthony Lau Kyoshi, also a Master in USA Goju. Melendez Sensei furthered his studies under Archie Rullan Sensei. In 1977, Nelson enlisted in the Army, and in 1978, during his assignment at Fort Polk Louisiana, he began studying the Korean Martial Art of Hopkido. In 1980, while stationed in Korea, he continued his studies in Hapkido. Recognizing his talent and commitment, his instructor, Mr. Y. S. Kim, awarded Mr. Melendez an Honorary Black Belt, weeks before his departure from Korea. A pond his return to New York, he rejoined the Ying Yee Kwoon Dojo and after 20 years he gain the rank of 5th degree.


Mr. Nelson Melendez is a former Law Enforcement officer with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, in Seattle Washington. The King County, D.A.J.D. is the second largest Correctional facility on the West Coast and the largest in the Pacific Northwest.
As a law enforcement officer, Mr. Melendez is all too familiar with the violence involving youth. He has devoted a considerable part of his life to training youth in Seattle, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and now in Myrtle Beach, on the many benefits of Martial Arts training.
In closing, Mr. Melendez continues to stress to Youth and Adults, that training in the Martial Arts has been proven to be a more positive method of how to resolve their conflicts in a peacefully manner, as well as building strong moral characters.


Currently, Nelson Melendez lives in Myrtle Beach, SC with his wife Lisa Melendez and their 10 years old son AJ. Together they own and operate the SC Wellness and Fitness Center, LLC. As a part of the Wellness Center, the couple operate The Karate Studio, where they teach Goju Karate-Do. In August 2013, Nelson was promoted to Rokudan (6th. degree Black Belt) and holds the title of Shihan. The couple welcomes all to come and train with them.
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You can contact Mr. Melendez at his dojo 843-748-0283 or by email: [email protected]