Choi Yeong-eui (Masutatsu Oyama)

大山倍達 (Known as "Mas Oyama")

["martial artist", "Kyokushin founder", "karate master"]

Born Jun 04, 1923

Gimje, South Korea

Passed Away Apr 26, 1994 Tokyo, Japan

Lifespan 70 years old

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Notice / Correction

"One becomes a beginner after one thousand days of training and a master after ten thousand days."

Archival Overview

Korean-Japanese karate master who founded Kyokushin Karate, widely considered the first and most influential full-contact karate style in the world.

Biographical Record

Masutatsu 'Mas' Oyama (1923–1994), born Choi Yeong-eui, was a legendary martial artist who founded Kyokushin Karate ('The Ultimate Truth'). After isolating himself in the Japanese wilderness on Mount Kiyosumi for grueling 18-month solo training regimens, Oyama emerged with extraordinary physical power.

Famed for fighting live bulls barehanded and inventing the grueling 100-man kumite test (which he completed over three consecutive days), Oyama popularized full-contact karate worldwide, training millions of students across more than 120 nations.

Key Life Milestones

May 1, 1953

Opening of the First Oyama Dojo

Opened his first karate dojo in Mejiro, Tokyo, laying the direct foundation for the Kyokushin full-contact karate style.

April 26, 1964

Establishment of International Kyokushinkaikan

Formally established the International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkaikan, expanding to millions of practitioners.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Gokokuji Temple
Tokyo, Japan

                         GPS: 35.7172, 139.7289                    

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