Shigeru Oyama - The Big Mountain

Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama is known as the "Big Mountain" since Oyama is Japanese for mountain.

In the USA I had trained in the bare knuckle Japanese style of Kyokushin karate. My instructor Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama was a no nonsense kind of fighter and our training was very tough. I had my first hospital visit while still a white belt after having been kicked in the nose with a well place round house kick. It would not be my last visit to the emergency room.

We fought full contact, did our push ups on our knuckles on a slab of wood and dragged ourselves out of the dojo with plenty of bruises and war scares. We trained in the bitter cold and in the oppressive heat. It was a great time and I miss it.

Our Oyama was a disciple of another Oyama; the founder of Kyokushin Karate Mas Oyama. The younger Oyama was sent to America to spread this style of karate.

Eventually he formed World Oyama Karate.

I recall Saiko Shihan, later known as Soshu, walking around the dojo, always smiling, as if he had just heard a funny joke. Even when he would shout out his instructions he looked happy and content, although he was always quite serious in class.

His is known to have completed the 100 man kumite where he fought 100 black belts in a row.

Some of the things he used to say where, "Oyama karate is based on action", and "Intensity is more important than technique."

Kyokushin Karate workout .

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