Steven R. Wilson, 8th Dan, Shihan
Sensei Wilson began training in Japanese Goju Kai karate with Sensei John S. O’Hara (OGRKK Founder) on June 6, 1973, in Bakersfield, California. Sensei Wilson was 13 years of age at the time. During the next 41 plus years, Sensei Wilson remained a loyal student of Sensei O’Hara and eventually became his senior student.
Although Sensei Wilson remained a direct student of Sensei O’Hara; from 1987 to 1994 Sensei Wilson was also a personal student of Sensei Morio Higaonna at his Honbu Dojo.
Sensei Wilson also had the good fortune of training with one of Sensei Miyagi’s first generation students, Sensei Jin’an Matsumura. Sensei Wilson currently holds the rank of 8th Dan (Shihan) in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, a 2nd Dan in Japanese Goju Ryu, and a 5th Dan in Kobudo. Sensei Wilson also wrote a book titled Budo A Lifelong Journey.
On Sunday, December 29, 2014, Sensei O’Hara appointed Sensei Wilson as the Chairman of the Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai Organization with his family and senior black belts present. Sadly, John S. O’Hara, Hanshi, passed away on January 7, 2015. Sensei Wilson, the Executive Committee, the Assistant Chief Instructors, and all of the members are working hard to preserve and grow the OGRKK.