Our Testimonials

Director of Operations and Management, Long Island, USA

“Osu! Kyokushin: The Ultimate Truth
Kyokushin holds profound value, depending on how one chooses to embrace it. Why does someone decide to become a Kyokushin Karateka?

Is it to be stronger and learn how to fight, perhaps to indulge in being a bully? Or to work out for the sake of achieving a good-looking physique? Is it maybe to train for tournaments in pursuit of shiny trophies? Or to earn a black belt adorned with stripes, seeking an image of toughness without true knowledge?

Kyokushin Karate is so much more—it is a way of life.

In our dojo, the moment you entered, a bold banner greeted you with the words: “Not only a workout, but a way of life.”

At the core of Kyokushin is respect—a value that transforms your body and mind. Respect shapes how you perceive the world. It influences your language, your decisions, and your ability to lead. Respect helps you learn from mistakes, encouraging reflection and growth. This respect must be pure, untainted by ego or ulterior motives.

We were fortunate to have an instructor who embodied and imparted these values with clarity and conviction: Kancho Henry-Oh. I deeply appreciate the discipline and the authenticity of the Kyokushin philosophy he so effectively shared.

Saiko Shihan Bob Wright’s guidance and Kaicho Charles Burger’s unwavering dedication have also been instrumental in the growth of the North American Kyokushin Organization (NAKO). Their support has allowed this incredible tradition to flourish.

It is an honor to be part of this community. Osu!

Kyokushin is my way of life. It is a system I live by daily. With respect as its foundation, everything else falls into place naturally. A true Kyokushin Karateka stands out in society through their character and actions. When this happens, it means you have truly embraced the path.

For me, Kyokushin is about respect—always respect.

Thank you, Kancho Henry-Oh, for the values and teachings that continue to guide me.

OSU! OSU! OSU!“

School Director, Mississippi, USA

“Training in Kyokushin Karate for the last 32 years has been an incredible journey of personal growth, and I feel honored that for the last 20 years, I could learn from some of the most respected martial artists in the world. Under the leadership of Kancho Henri Oh, I have been taught not just the techniques of Kyokushin but the true spirit of the art: discipline, respect, and perseverance. Each of the senior instructors, including Saiko-Shihan Bob Wright, Kaicho Charles Burger, Shihan Marius Traczyk, Shihan Orhan Akyurek, and Shihan Anthony Celestine, have played pivotal roles in shaping my development as a martial artist and as an individual. Their diverse perspectives and unique teaching styles have expanded my understanding of Kyokushin. Achieving the rank of 4th-degree black belt (yon dan) is the result of years of hard work. Still, it also reflects the North American Kyokushin Organization’s guidance, inspiration, and high standards. I am forever grateful to them for their dedication to my journey and Kyokushin.”

Vice President , Canada, NAKO

“Osu,

I can’t say enough about the excellence, warmth and inspiration of the North American Kyokushin Organization, founded by Kancho Henri-Oh. It was here that I received the best instruction and developed the best leadership skills. This organization has been the cornerstone of my life for over four decades, and I hope to be part of it for at least another 40!

I have been immersed in martial arts since 1971, exploring Korean, Chinese, and Japanese disciplines. Ten years later, my journey took a transformative turn when I met Sensei Normand Bourbonnais, who was affiliated with Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama of Fairfield, Connecticut. Under his mentorship, my passion and dedication to martial arts deepened.

In 1984, after years of perseverance, I opened my first dojo, and by 1989, I earned the rank of 3rd Dan and became a Sensei. The following year, I joined the International Karate Organization (IKO) under the guidance of Branch Chief Shihan A. Coulombe from Sherbrooke, Quebec. This affiliation provided me the extraordinary opportunity to train with some of the greatest names in the Kyokushin world, including Shihans S. Oyama, S. Kanamura, K. Sempei, Y. Chichinohe, K. Midori, H. Collins, C. Quinn, and B. Lowe, among others.

In 1992, during Sosai Mas Oyama’s visit to North America, I had the privilege of meeting Shihan Henri-Oh Zephirin, a dynamic and inspiring figure from New York City. Little did I know this meeting would start a meaningful connection. Shihan Henri-Oh would later establish the North American Kyokushin Organization (NAKO), an entity that exemplifies the spirit and values ​​of Kyokushin karate.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of being part of NAKO and witnessing its growth and impact under Shihan Henri-Oh’s leadership. The organization’s wings expand to Aruba, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Pakistan, among other countries.

Kaicho Charles Burger continues this growth with the counseling of Saiko Shihan Robert Wright and the support of exemplary figures such as Shihan Orhan Akyurek, Shihan Marius Traczyk and Shihan Anthony Celestine, just to name a few.

It is an honor to contribute to an organization that continues to uphold the traditions of Kyokushin while fostering a sense of community and excellence.

As vice president of the North American Kyokushin Organization, I benefit from the presence of dedicated school directors such as Shihan Aldo Akli, Sensei Franck Di Marco, and Sensei Bidel Tartraf, who work diligently to preserve the legacy cemented by our Kancho.

My journey with NAKO has been profoundly rewarding, and I look forward to its continued success and influence in the martial arts world.”

Vice President , Canada, NAKO

“Osu,

Je ne saurais trop insister sur l’excellence, la chaleur et l’inspiration de la North American Kyokushin Organization, fondée par Kancho Henri-Oh.  C’est ici que j’ai reçu le meilleur enseignement et que j’ai développé les meilleures compétences en matière de leadership. Cette organisation a été la pierre angulaire de ma vie pendant plus de quatre décennies, et j’espère en faire partie pendant encore au moins 40 ans !

Je suis plongé dans les arts martiaux depuis 1971, explorant les disciplines coréennes, chinoises et japonaises. Dix ans plus tard, mon parcours a pris un tournant transformateur lorsque j’ai rencontré Sensei Normand Bourbonnais, qui était affilié à Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama de Fairfield, au Connecticut. Sous son mentorat, ma passion et mon dévouement pour les arts martiaux se sont approfondis.

En 1984, après des années de persévérance, j’ai ouvert mon premier dojo et, en 1989, j’ai obtenu le grade de 3e Dan et suis devenu Sensei. L’année suivante, j’ai rejoint l’Organisation internationale de karaté (IKO) sous la direction du chef de branche Shihan A. Coulombe de Sherbrooke, au Québec. Cette affiliation m’a donné l’opportunité extraordinaire de m’entraîner avec certains des plus grands noms du monde Kyokushin, y compris les S. Oyama, S. Kanamura, K. Sempei, Y. Chichinohe, K. Midori, H. Collins, C. Quinn, et B. Lowe, parmi d’autres.En 1992, lors de la visite de Sosai Mas Oyama en Amérique du Nord, j’ai eu le privilège de rencontrer Shihan Henri-Oh Zephirin, une figure dynamique et inspirante de la ville de New York.

J’étais loin de me douter que cette rencontre serait à l’origine d’un lien important. Shihan Henri-Oh allait plus tard créer la North American Kyokushin Organization (NAKO), une entité qui illustre l’esprit et les valeurs du karaté Kyokushin.

Au fil des ans, j’ai eu le plaisir de faire partie de la NAKO et d’être témoin de sa croissance et de son impact sous la direction de Shihan Henri-Oh. Les ailes de l’organisation s’étendent à Aruba, à l’Allemagne, à la Hongrie, au Japon, au Pakistan et à d’autres pays.

Kaicho Charles Burger poursuit cette croissance avec les conseils de Saiko Shihan Robert Wright et le soutien de personnalités exemplaires telles que Shihan Orhan Akyurek, Shihan Marius Traczyk et Shihan Anthony Celestine, pour n’en citer que quelques-unes.

C’est un honneur de contribuer à une organisation qui continue à défendre les traditions du Kyokushin tout en encourageant un sens de la communauté et de l’excellence.

En tant que vice-président de l’Organisation Kyokushin nord-américaine, je bénéficie de la présence de directeurs d’école dévoués tels que Shihan Aldo Akli, Sensei Franck Di Marco et Sensei Bidel Tartraf, qui travaillent avec diligence pour préserver l’héritage cimenté par notre Kancho.

Mon parcours au sein de NAKO a été profondément enrichissant, et je me réjouis de son succès et de son influence continus dans le monde des arts martiaux.“