Masutatsu Ōyama (1923–94,) born Choi Yeong-eui, was a Korean-Japanese martial artist best known for founding Kyokushin Karate, a leading full-contact style. Famous for his strength demonstrations, including breaking bricks and fighting bulls, he trained world-class fighters and influenced modern martial arts competitions.
Born in Gimje, Korea, Ōyama moved to Japan in 1938, training in Shotokan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi and later in Goju-Ryu Karate under So Nei Chu, who inspired his dedication to martial arts.
In 1947, Ōyama won the All-Japan Karate Championship but soon withdrew to train in isolation. Spending 18 months in the mountains, he refined his techniques and philosophy. In 1953, he founded the Kyokushin Karate dojo in Tokyo, emphasizing real combat, rigorous training, and full-contact sparring.
His publications include What is Karate? (1958,) This is Karate (1965,) Dynamic Karate (1966,) Vital Karate (1967,) and Fighting Karate (1972,) detailing Kyokushin techniques and philosophy.
Biographies include Mark Radic’s Mas Oyama: The Legend, The Legacy (2005,) exploring his martial arts philosophy, and C.W. Nicol’s Kyokushin Karate: The Life and Teachings of Mas Oyama (2010,) examining his impact on full-contact karate.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Masutatsu Oyama
One becomes a beginner after one thousand days of training and an expert after ten thousand days of practice.
—Masutatsu Oyama
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