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Instructors

Shihan John Lehner

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's Fight with Willie Williams.

Shihan Mary Lehner

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

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

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
Yasuhiko Oyama

Saiko Shihan Oyama
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.

South Valley Oyama Black Belts

We're very proud of all of the karateka who have earned their black belts with us. Here they are:

Current RankPromotions in:
Shihan
John LehnerRoku Dan'98
1980 Sho Dans
Mary LehnerGo Dan'87, '96, '00
Crescencio LopezNi Dan'87
1984 Sho Dans
Ricardo Lopez
Alfredo Lopez
Sal Beazie
Mike BauerNi Dan'89
Pete BauerNi Dan'89
Alex Damron
Bret Damron
Mark Bruno
Jim McCarley
1985 Sho Dans
Michelle Ferreira GutierrezNi 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 CohenSan Dan'98, '00
Farhid Shahrokhi
Estelle Soto
1995 Sho Dans
Phil BauerNi Dan'98
Mike CzarnySan Dan'98, '00
Chuck GizaSan Dan'98, '00
Chris Giza
Peter Mouttapa
Alan Weeks Sr.
Alan Weeks Jr.
1996 Sho Dans
Lloyd Beardsley
Motoi FukunishiSan Dan'08
Dana RamseySan Dan'08
Olaf SchneiderNi Dan'00
John WalshNi Dan'00
1998 Sho Dans
Jack Chen
David Gutierrez
Irene GutierrezNi 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

Knockdown Fighters


Kohai Jarred Ramsey
1st Kyu (April 2009) Kohai Jarred Ramsey
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.

Semi-Knockdown Fighters


Kohai Meruzhan (The Cobra*) Cadjan Sho Dan (Dec 2008) Kohai Meruzhan Cadjan 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)
Kohai Kent Morita
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.
Kohai Mike Bello
1st Kyu ( Apr 2009)
Kohai Mike Bello
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!