Mas Oyama—born Choi Yeong-Eui on 27 July 1923 in Korea—was the founder of Kyokushin Karate and one of the most formidable martial artists who ever lived. Kyokushin, meaning “the ultimate truth,” is a full-contact karate style known for its brutal conditioning, hard sparring and emphasis on both physical and mental toughness.
Oyama began martial arts at the age of 9 in Manchuria. He later trained in judo, kempo and karate under Gichin Funakoshi in Japan before developing his own system. He was legendary for his physical feats—including breaking stones and fighting bulls bare-handed—which became emblematic of Kyokushin’s philosophy of extreme toughness.
He founded the International Karate Organization (IKO), which became one of the world’s largest karate organizations. His students and disciples spread Kyokushin globally, directly influencing kickboxing legends including Kenji Kurosaki, who in turn shaped Dutch kickboxing through Jan Plas and the Mejiro Gym lineage.
Oyama died on 26 April 1994, but his “Osu no Seishin”—the spirit of perseverance—remains the core philosophy of Kyokushin worldwide.
Oyama began martial arts at the age of 9 in Manchuria. He later trained in judo, kempo and karate under Gichin Funakoshi in Japan before developing his own system. He was legendary for his physical feats—including breaking stones and fighting bulls bare-handed—which became emblematic of Kyokushin’s philosophy of extreme toughness.
He founded the International Karate Organization (IKO), which became one of the world’s largest karate organizations. His students and disciples spread Kyokushin globally, directly influencing kickboxing legends including Kenji Kurosaki, who in turn shaped Dutch kickboxing through Jan Plas and the Mejiro Gym lineage.
Oyama died on 26 April 1994, but his “Osu no Seishin”—the spirit of perseverance—remains the core philosophy of Kyokushin worldwide.