World Oyama Karate - 1988

A visit to the famous World Oyama school in Manhattan in the West Village. Now closed, this school was one of the biggest and most successful martial art schools in New York City.

[@BoxersRealty]

Osu, I was given a gift certificate, from my brother on my birthday, for a three month membership at Oyama Karate, on West 4th Street. Out of respect for my brother, I attended classes and became hooked. I trained at headquarters for years until they closed. I loved that place. My business Boxers Bar & Grill was located just down the street. One of the students in the video mentioned that you would feel like a "million dollars" after taking a class. I concur. I sometimes would walk into the Dojo, stressed out, tired with all sorts of nonsense on my mind. After a class or even two classes, I would walk out of the Dojo a new person, transformed with a different outlook on life.. Oyama Karate saved my sanity and my life. Rest in peace Soshu, you are missed! Thank you for believing in me...

[@josephmedina7124]

Wow, I remember going to Oyama 31 years ago. I'm the big guy at 4Minutes and 39 seconds, blue belt. I remember the feeling of calm I had after the class, it was awesome. I also remember the summer training camps in Spring Valley, I drove a couple of instructors to the camp, I stayed the week. It was great. The West 4th street school was the best and what I compare all the other schools I tried afterwards. Oyama Karate was the best.

[@Bartolo5636]

I trained at the Fairfield dojo with sensei Hioki, sensei Fujiwara and sempai ted. We used to go to NYC to train with seiko shihan. 83-88. Great times.

[@LLS11]

great video!! really brought back a lot of memories....Nishio... Nazuka....Jose......and of course soshu. training at the usa oyama dojo was the happiest and most memorable time in my life. it will always remain in my heart.

[@SmittybuiltHD]

I trained at this dojo around 89 or 90 when seiko shihan shigeru oyama, sensei hyoki, teddy oyama, suzuki and miyamoto where all teaching and training there. Wow, brings back great memories. If anyone remembers training around that time or remembers anthony-san please get in touch with me. OSU!

[@robertos4978]

I trained at World Oyama Karate from 1986 to 1992. The names of the instructors you mentioned just brought back wonderful memories. I now train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Sanshou, but Oyama Karate -- the World Oyama headquarters on West 4th Street and the Brooklyn dojo -- will always hold a special place in my heart. Osu!

[@Lee7676]

Rest in PEACE.OSU! OYAMA SHIGERU sensei.

[@bloodriotiori]

I was born in the wrong decade and the wrong state...i would KILL to train in this art today somewhere near Ohio!! :(

[@34thstreetman]

There are schools in Ohio.

[@MartialArchiveTv]

We really enjoyed the knockdowns and your matches were always one of the highlights of the events. Your forward flip rear heel ax kick to your opponent's shoulder at one knockdown is legendary.

[@jeskid]

Ah good old Martial Arts TV. I was a blue belt then, but must have missed that day. Loved having you guys at all the tournaments.

[@yakmaister]

Shihan Gorai is 6th Dan now and one of the leading figures in IKO1 organization. He runs a dojo at 39th and Madison avenue. It is one of the best karate schools around.

[@MrBulletproof1000]

Wow! What a blast from the past!. Where is George and Suzuki though? I used to go to this great school in the 80's before it broke away from Mas Oyama's Koyushikai Karate. It was truly state of the art and modern in its space but traditional in teaching and technique. I'm very sorry that it is no longer there in that location. I wonder if the son Ted has taken over somewhere else?

[@Steaks652]

Got my shodan in 88, wow seems not long ago, but 32 years have passed, shame our club broke up soon afterwards. Osu, great video.

[@rollotomasi8116]

OSU......trained in Birmingham with Saiko Shihan......great karate style....no BS, just sweat !!!!!

[@dakentaijutsu2010]

RIP soshu oyama

[@MartialArchiveTv]

The interview and school footage was filmed in 1988. The footage with the black background is from the school's instructional video which was filmed by a Japanese video crew a year earlier.

[@elchalo66]

Usu! Great style. I would like to see more videos of tournaments here in the USA. Those in up state NY and those in Alabama (1988 - 1990) semi-knock & full knockdown. I may be in some of those.

[@KitabayashiM]

i am from seido karate organization, Oyama and Kaicho were friends way back when :)

[@dandbow]

I became the youngest black belt in the organization at age 12, it took me 7 years to get my black belt! And I was always getting yelled at so yeah, I had a rough journey. Sempai Daniel Perkins.

[@BoxersRealty]

Osu, miss you guys...

[@elchalo66]

I trainned in Brooklyn dojo with sempai Alfred then, now shijan Alfred. My first semi knock dowm was when I had orange belt and my first knock when I was green belt.

[@gringdominicano3183]

bloodriotiori I train at a school in columbus, ohio.There is also a school in Dayton and Kent,Ohio.

[@MartialArchiveTv]

You are welcome

[@charlesolivares4858]

I remember these days i trained underneath sensi doug walker, I did test in 1991 - 1994. I did all my training in the headquaters on west 4 st . Im looking for a dojo in Far Rockaway if anyone know about one near by please let us know. If anyone have videos from the years 1991 - 1994 of the test ill love to see them thanks.

[@mikewu111]

Where was his dojo in West Village ?

[@victorremache7884]

Hello everyone i am a oyama black bell 1986 the year that i took my black bell tests oyama is been m y life

[@mfuji02]

too bad now closed :(

[@mikewu111]

On which street was his dojo in West Village ?

[@BuddyWilliams]

I guess I should put my name on my post. Sampai Buddy Williams

[@Lee7676]

@mfuji02 why they closed?

[@kih0n]

Why this school is now closed??

[@MasOyama10dan]

Osu!!