our school
Our goal is to create a friendly and nurturing environment that helps a student develop confidence in themselves. All students are treated as individuals and are guided by their instructors towards constantly creating the "new and improved" version of themselves, both as martial artists and people.
< Mosaic Design on the floor of the lobby at K.O. Kung Fu Karate
We have experience teaching children with learning disabilities and people with physical disabilities. Our youngest student is 3 years old. Our oldest student began training at 81 years of age.
Main display piece in our lesson area >
K.O. Blackbelts, Instructors, and Students participate in regional, national & World competition and are internationally recognized for their achievements. As you meet KO instructors, you will find that they are not just incredible martial artists, but kind & giving people.
“The measure of a great instructor is not their ability to teach the best students, it is their ability to teach the students who face the greatest challenge to learn. We will turn away no student who wants to learn. There is no student we can not teach.”
- Master John Ozuna
History
K.O. Kung Fu Karate School was founded in Gilroy in the summer of 1989 by David Kirby and John Ozuna. Both men received their Black Belts after studying under Black Belt Mr. Terry Kane at the former San Jose location of the East-West school on San Carlos Street. The name K.O. was taken from the last names of the two founders (Kirby, Ozuna) and does not stand for "knockout". They decided the name “O-K Karate” was not as appealing.
Mr. Kirby left in 1992 and Master Ozuna became the sole proprietor, but decided to leave the name the same. The school remained in Gilroy until the end of 1994. At that time we moved to San Jose.
Over the years, KO students & instructors have accomplished some incredible feats and have tested their martial arts abilities on the World's stage. Throughout our school's success one thing has always remained constant, that is the comforting feeling you get when you walk into our school. Our school is a place to feel accepted, make new friends, improve your health and reach for your highest goals!
We are proud of our history and look forward to continuing to develop some of the finest students in the world.
(Above) A gathering of some very high ranking martial artists at KO Kung Fu Karate on the day of our school's 20th anniversary. (Left to right; Ms Morgan Newman, Sr Professor Larry Smith, Master Norma Futini, Master John Buckley, Grandmaster Bob Maschmeier, Grandmaster RIchard Lee, Grandmaster Janet Gee, Grandmaster Ted Sumner, Master John Ozuna, Sensei Kenneth Kronschnabel)
