Chairman
Sensei Wilson began training in Japanese Goju Kai karate with Hanshi 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 42 plus years, Sensei Wilson remained a loyal student of Hanshi O’Hara and eventually became his senior student. From 1987 to 1994 Sensei Wilson was also a personal student of the famous Hanshi Morio Higaonna at his Honbu Dojo.
Sensei Wilson also had the good fortune of training with one of Sensei Miyagi’s first generation students, Hanshi 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, five training manuals, and numerous articles. Sensei Wilson was formerly a Peace Officer Standard Training Instructor for Weaponless Defense, Gun Retention, PR-24, and the Straight Baton. Sensei Wilson has competed in sport karate kumite and kata. He also competed in 72 full contact matches.
Wilson Sensei's primary teacher was, Hanshi John S. (Stan) O’Hara (1938–2015), a Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt), who was an elite athlete and accomplished martial artist. His two primary karate teachers were Hanshi Gosei Yamaguchi and Hanshi Morio Higaonna. Hanshi O'Hara was also a black belt in Shotokan Karate. With a background in Olympic (he was an alternate on the 1960 Olympic Power Lifting Team) weightlifting, and a highly educated person, he applied his knowledge of kinesiology, biomechanics, and physiology to training. O'Hara Sensei was known for integrating scientific principles into traditional karate training. After a 42-year training relationship, he appointed Steve Wilson as his successor to lead the Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai, which they formed together in 1999. In, 2026, the OGRKK Executive Committee decided to rename the OGRKK to the Koryu Koshu Kai, to separate us from so many similar names and to better represent what we teach. Without O'Hara Sensei, the Koryu Koshu Kai would not exist. We were fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, kind, and technical teacher. O'Hara Sensei, never yelled, humiliated students, or put himself on a pedestal. He was truly a modern day Bushi (Gentlemen Warrior).