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| Who's Who | ||
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Shihan John Lehner
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Shihan Lehner was awarded his roku-dan (6th degree black belt) by Soshu Shigeru
Oyama in 1998. Born in Manhattan (Hell's Kitchen), Shihan had relocated
to the Binghamton area by 1968, where he began his study of Kyokushin karate
under Sensei Robert Downey and became his top instructor. Being close to
U.S. headquarters, he took every opportunity to study directly under Soshu
Oyama at his clinics, and to compete in his tournaments, where he faced
many world class competitors. His most memorable bout, against Willie Williams,
brought the crowd to its feet.
Shihan Lehner moved to San Jose in 1978 and established this dojo the following year. Classes were first held in his living room, then in his barn (after we broke the living room window), and finally in the current Winfield Blvd. commercial location. Shihan Lehner now focuses on passing his experience and enthusiasm on to his students. His spirit is the heart and soul of our dojo. He has trained, by latest count, 50 black belts since 1978 and is one of the senior members of the World Oyama Karate organization. |
Shihan Mary Lehner
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Shihan Mary Lehner began her training in 1976 with Shihan John Lehner in
Binghamton, New York. She was awarded her sho-dan by Soshu Shigeru Oyama
in 1980, and currently holds the rank of go-dan (5th degree black belt).
Sensei Mary and Shihan John married in 1978 and moved to California. It
was at her instigation that Shihan John established the dojo in 1979.
Shihan Mary has no longer actively participates in the Dojo. Occaisionally Shihan Mary attends testing and important Dojo events. Her talent and wisdom are sorely missed. Click here to see some of the other interests of Sensei Mary and Shihan John. |
Sensei Motoi Fukunishi
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Sensei Motoi Fukunishi was awarded San-Dan on April 25, 2008 by Saiko Shihan
Yasuhiko Oyama (Head of World Oyama Karate).
He has competed in knockdown tournaments in the U.S. and Japan, winning
4th place in the 1999 All-Japan Oyama Championship, 3rd place in the 2001 Alabama
Governor's Cup Championship, and 2nd place in the 2002 World Oyama Championship
in New York City. He also has exceptional teaching ability. All the students love to attend his classes, including his Sunday fighting class. |
Sempai Dana Ramsey
Left to right, Sempai Dana, Shihan, Sensei |
Sempai Dana Ramsey was awarded San-Dan on April 25, 2008 by Saiko Shihan
Yasuhiko Oyama (Head of World Oyama Karate). |
Soshu Shigeru Oyama
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Soshu Shigeru Oyama is Founder of the World Oyama Karate organization and Director of the U.S. Northeastern Region. He is a 10th Dan Black Belt (Ju Dan) with over fifty years of martial arts experience. He is considered a grand master by knowledgeable practitioners worldwide. In addition to serving as a leader of World Oyama Karate and carrying a full load of teaching responsibilities, Soshu Oyama travels frequently in the U.S. and abroad to conduct master classes and attend tournaments. While in active competition, Soshu Oyama successfully completed the 100-Man Kumite (free fighting), defeating one hundred consecutive Black Belt opponents in full-contact bouts. He has shown the power of his karate in awe-inspiring demonstrations, breaking over a thousand pounds of ice with his knife-hand strike, and stopping a razor-sharp sword with his bare hands. |
Soshi - Saiko Shihan
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Soshi - Saiko Shihan Yasuhiko Oyama is Founder of the World Oyama Karate Organization and Director of the World Oyama Karate Organization. He holds the 9th degree Black Belt (Ku Dan) and is a former All-Japan Full-Contact Champion. Soshi - Saiko Shihan Oyama is a highly respected author and video producer. He has written several best selling books, is a regular contributor to martial arts magazines, and has also produced many best selling video tapes covering all aspects of Karate. Soshi - Saiko Shihan Oyama is known throughout the world of martial arts for his expertise as a tactician, and for his superb demonstrations with various weapons, as well as for his masterful teaching skills and electrifying teaching style. |
| Current Rank | Promotions in: | |
| Shihan | ||
| John Lehner | Roku Dan | '98 |
| 1980 Sho Dans | ||
| Mary Lehner | Go Dan | '87, '96, '00 |
| Crescencio Lopez | Ni Dan | '87 |
| 1984 Sho Dans | ||
| Ricardo Lopez | ||
| Alfredo Lopez | ||
| Sal Beazie | ||
| Mike Bauer | Ni Dan | '89 |
| Pete Bauer | Ni Dan | '89 |
| Alex Damron | ||
| Bret Damron | ||
| Mark Bruno | ||
| Jim McCarley | ||
| 1985 Sho Dans | ||
| Michelle Ferreira Gutierrez | Ni Dan | '00 |
| 1987 Sho Dans | ||
| Janie Fuentes | ||
| David Lopez | ||
| Richard Korczynski | ||
| Scott Trevino | ||
| 1989 Sho Dans | ||
| Lisa Fuentes | ||
| Michael Schivo | ||
| Denise Wendler | ||
| 1990 Sho Dans | ||
| Eric Casem | ||
| Ricardo Gomez | ||
| 1994 Sho Dans | ||
| Victor Taveras Cohen | San Dan | '98, '00 |
| Farhid Shahrokhi | ||
| Estelle Soto | ||
| 1995 Sho Dans | ||
| Phil Bauer | Ni Dan | '98 |
| Mike Czarny | San Dan | '98, '00 |
| Chuck Giza | San Dan | '98, '00 |
| Chris Giza | ||
| Peter Mouttapa | ||
| Alan Weeks Sr. | ||
| Alan Weeks Jr. | ||
| 1996 Sho Dans | ||
| Lloyd Beardsley | ||
| Motoi Fukunishi | San Dan | '08 |
| Dana Ramsey | San Dan | '08 |
| Olaf Schneider | Ni Dan | '00 |
| John Walsh | Ni Dan | '00 |
| 1998 Sho Dans | ||
| Jack Chen | ||
| David Gutierrez | ||
| Irene Gutierrez | Ni Dan | '00 |
| Tami Imai | ||
| Karen Keasbey | ||
| Rudy Norvelle | ||
| 2000 Sho Dans | ||
| Hiroshi Tanaka | ||
| 2003 Sho Dans | ||
| Thomas Cutler | ||
| David Godkin | ||
| Ron Di Grandi | ||
| Keiichi Iida | ||
| Michael Zung | ||
| 2008 Sho Dans | ||
| Meruzhan Cadjan | ||
| James Reed | 2010 Sho Dans | |
| Mike Bello | ||
| Leonard Shiba | ||
| Jared Ramsey | ||
| Kenny Morita | ||
| Shin Akiya | ||
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Kohai Jarred Ramsey 1st Kyu (April 2009) 
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Jarred has shown great potential as a fighter from the first day of training.
The last weekend of April 2008 Kohai Jarred went to Alabama to compete in the World
Oyama Americas Cup. Jarred won Second Place in the Knockdown
Tournament, this showing at the 2008 Americas Cup makes Jarred one
of the top fighters in World Oyama Karate. Also, Jarred has
fought in the San Francisco Fighters Cup tournaments 2006 &
2007, 2009 & 2010. He won First Place for his division. This was very
impressive because at the time to attain First Place Jarred had to
defeat Higher Rank Belts with several years more experience.
In June 2009 Kohai Jarred represented SVOK at the San Francisco Fighters
cup. He fought Sempai Karl Julian, Uchi Deschi for World Oyama Headquaters, who is
currently the #1 Middle weight fighter for World Oyama. In what I would call a
very close bout, Kohai Jarred took 2nd place. Well done Jarred. It was bound to happen sooner rather than later. At the time Kohai Jared fought in the 2010 San Francisco Fighter's Cup Tournament and this year he took first place against Sempai Carl Julian. Jared showed remarkable skill against Sempai Carl. You could see by the way he fought in this years tournament that he really wanted that first place trophy. Congratulations Jared, well done! On Oct 3rd 2010 Jared tested for Sho Dan. I believe that very soon Jared will be wearing a well deserved Black Belt. |
Kohai Meruzhan (The Cobra*) Cadjan Sho Dan (Dec 2008)
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Meruzhan has been with the Dojo for many years now and is considered one of our best.
He is especially known for quick hands and flawless form. He has fought Semi-Knockdown for
SVOK in the 2005 San Francisco Fighter's Cup tournament. Meruzhan Fought in the 2008 San Francisco Fighters Cup and went home with third Place. Well done! On Oct 19 2008, Meruzhan Tested for Black Belt, on Dec 9, 2008 SVOK was proud to officially "Belt" Meruzhan as a Sho Dan. * Nicknames at SVOK are earned and awarded by members of the Dojo, sometimes the name sticks. |
Kohai Kent Morita 1st Kyu (Brown Belt, Apr 2009)
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Kohai Kent has represented SVOK Dojo at the San Francisco
Fighters Cup in 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010. In 2007 he won a Second Place trophy. At the 2008 San Francisco Fighters Cup Kent again competed and won 1st place. In 2009 he won 2nd Place. |
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Kohai Mike Bello 1st Kyu ( Apr 2009) 
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In June 2007 Kohai MIKE represented SVOK Dojo at the San Francisco Fighters Cup Tournament.
His efforts were rewarded with a Second Place trophy Seniors Division. In 2008, Mike fought Semi knock down at the San Francisco Fighters Cup Seniors Division and won 3rd place. At the 2009 Fighters Cup San Francisco, Kohai Mike fought in the Seniors Division and won 1st place. Good going Champ! |
