Mas Oyama was born on July, 23,1923 as Choi Yeong-eui in Gimje, South Korea. He began training in the martial arts since the age of 9 under a Chinese farmer, who was working on his sister’s farm. After World War-2 he further trained for 2 years in Shotokan dojo operated by Gigo Funakoshi, the son of karate master Gichin Funakoshi. Thereafter, he studied Goju-Ryu karate for several years with So Nei Chu. He also spent 3 years training in solitude in the mountains. In 1953, Oyama opened his own dojo and travelled around Japan giving martial art demonstrations. He used to fight and kill bulls with bare hands, he completed 100-man Kumite ( 2 minute fights, each after the featured participant wins) three times in a row over 3 days
Mas Oyama was born on July, 23,1923 as Choi Yeong-eui in Gimje, South Korea. He began training in the martial arts since the age of 9 under a Chinese farmer, who was working on his sister’s farm. After World War-2 he further trained for 2 years in Shotokan dojo operated by Gigo Funakoshi, the son of karate master Gichin Funakoshi. Thereafter, he studied Goju-Ryu karate for several years with So Nei Chu. He also spent 3 years training in solitude in the mountains. In 1953, Oyama opened his own dojo and travelled around Japan giving martial art demonstrations. He used to fight and kill bulls with bare hands, he completed 100-man Kumite ( 2 minute fights, each after the featured participant wins) three times in a row over 3 days