Back in the day even people who didn't study the art knew who Oliver was. The guy was like a superhero. That was the most real rendition of that kata I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of em. Guys in Olivers era did ALL their karate like THAT.kata was just as hard as kumite,
I studied under Shuseki-Shihan Oliver in the early 90's in NYC. He was a TRUE Warrior in everything he did in life. He inspired me with his words and actions and I am honored to have known him. The world lost a great man when he passed. I will never forget the days in Bahama Mama's with him and his students. OSU! Susan Mensel
Shuseki-Shihan Oliver was a truly unique, gifted and generous martial artist. And one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He helped to found our present style of karate, Kenshikai Karatedo. I was taking Saturday afternoon class when we got a phone call with the terrible news of his passing. We still miss him; in every class we take. Osu, Shuseki. — Sensei Russell
I'm not a big fan of most karate I've seen in the US. Most of it is watered down junk with worthless, flashy techniques. However, I must say that this man has phenomenal technique. Clean, direct, and powerful.
Master Oliver was saido karate and he always will be saido he had a great spirit that will always live on.That small dojo back in the 80s was AWSOME! i was a yellow belt back in the days. My nuckles were huge thanks to master oliver you are still the best.Thank you sir!
always was seido karate? but what about that 1st world karate tournament organized by the kyokushinkaikan in 1975 ? Was Seido already established back then?Sosai Masutatsu Oyama was still alive then. I saw a documentary about that with Shihan Oliver in it as well and I think he still was with Kyokushinkaikan back then.
@FaridYM Seido was founded in 1976 partly because of events surrounding that Kyokushin-kai tournament. The story is told in Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura's autobiography _The Human Face of Karate_. Shihan Oliver was a student of Kaicho Nakamura, and followed him to the new Seido organization.
Shihan Oliver left Seido and struck out on his own a few years before his death. I was saddened by that decision, but honor his memory and his legacy. Osu!
I had the honor to train with Shihan back in the 80's. He was a person with the utmost integrity. His technique was flawless. I remember the times we would go to the Jamaican Bar on the second floor after training and then you would hear the great karate stories from him, Mike Husband and Sensei Paul. I miss those days and I really miss him. The world has lost a true treasure. God Bless Shihan and his family. Osu! David Demurjian
Wow rob, you are lucky to have taken classes with him. I keep this in my fav's and watch it every now and then, and every time I watch I'm still as blown away as the first time I saw it.
He was one of my heroes. I took a number of classes from him in the early '80's, and he was one of the most spirited, skilled, martial artists I have ever seen. He was an amazing physical presence. Really nice guy too. I was sad to hear of his untimely passing.
I also studied with (then) Sensei Oliver at 23rd St. in the early 80's. One thing to keep in mind while watching this flawless kata is that this is how he did it EVERY TIME. Didn't matter if the cameras were rolling or if he was practicing by himself in an empty dojo.
There were several occasions where we were able to watch him perform the same kata off camera and he was as close to exactly the same as you see here as one can get.
You're totally right on that one. I was there at that time as well. He would teach back to back classes and would shadow box and hit the heavy bag between classes with endless energy. He was always the consummate professional, and had perfect technique and such explosive power.
He died of a heart attack in November 2004 at his upper west side dojo. It was on a Saturday morning, and I remember just getting out of class at the 23rd street dojo when I heard the news
An excellent and dedicated martial artist and expert in his field. Respect. And without a doubt , his techniques and fighting prowess were legendary as those who had went to JAPAN and trained as an Uchi Deshi of Oyama Dojo from the 1960's - 1979.
I studied with William Oliver back in the early 1980s. A tremendous karate man: fast, strong, and dedicated to Seido. At the 23rd St. dojo, I heard many stories about his fighting and training skills at the old 14th St. dojo with Shihan Nakamura and the original members of that dojo. RIP
william oliver passed? i didn't know that. i remember seeing him on that documentary fighting black kings (aka "this is karate"). he was THAT dude on there.
OSU, I knew Shuseki-Shihan William Oliver. My son and I trained under him briefly at his dojo in New York City. I love the video. I would like a copy of it if I may. Thank you for keeping his legacy alive. OSU.
HEY!! Ive heard so much about Master Oliver. I came up under GM Ki Whang Kim with Albert Cheeks and Mike Warren and they told me about Master Oliver from NY. Good video.
Osu, I study with then Sensei Oliver back in the early 80's those Tuesday evening classes at the 23rd street dojo were really intense. I also recall all the tournaments we attented especially the Henry Cho tournament at MSG. I will continue to miss you always. OSU.... I will like to talk with anyone who was a student back in the early 80's at 23rd street dojo to share a lot of memories... Nelson
OSU!!! Shihan Oliver!!!! Wow, this video brought tears to my eyes. GOD BLESS HIS SOUL!! I train under Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, on 23rd street. Everytime I saw Shihan, I got goose bumps. He is so powerful. We would put smiles on our faces when we saw each other. Thank you so much for posting this video. I could watch it over and over again. Thank GOD! I got to see him do this form LIVE!!! RIP SHIHAN!!!!! Thak you for teaching me so much. OSU!!!!!
Shuseki Shihan's Prowess shows absolute spiritual insight and the highest emotional content. One of the most inspiring videos ever! We miss you Respected Shuseki Shihan.
Osu. The kata is "Kanku".
Kap199 10 months ago
Back in the day even people who didn't study the art knew who Oliver was. The guy was like a superhero. That was the most real rendition of that kata I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of em. Guys in Olivers era did ALL their karate like THAT.kata was just as hard as kumite,
TheSubwaysurfer 1 year ago 3
Honored n Revered Master
Kata in a manner that demonstrate that there is Kumite in Kata
Great loss of a great gentle n giving human being n outstanding Martial Artist
OSSU OSSU
franklin3321 1 year ago 2
I studied under Shuseki-Shihan Oliver in the early 90's in NYC. He was a TRUE Warrior in everything he did in life. He inspired me with his words and actions and I am honored to have known him. The world lost a great man when he passed. I will never forget the days in Bahama Mama's with him and his students. OSU! Susan Mensel
wsdm43 1 year ago
Oh. That's what a fighter's kata looks like. I've wondered for years, practically given up on the notion.
ooogooman 1 year ago
@ooogooman
Yup!
It aint all perfect but its tight. People dont understand that you suppose to practice your katas as if you're in a fight.
Kinghercules 1 year ago
More people need to see this instead of thinking the art of Karate is bullshit. I would have been an honor to train under him.
FreekyDeeky21 1 year ago
Shuseki-Shihan Oliver was a truly unique, gifted and generous martial artist. And one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He helped to found our present style of karate, Kenshikai Karatedo. I was taking Saturday afternoon class when we got a phone call with the terrible news of his passing. We still miss him; in every class we take. Osu, Shuseki. — Sensei Russell
senseiruss 1 year ago
If I may ask how did he pass? I saw him in Black Belts Kings. He had good technique and damn near perfect form.
Omiade28 1 year ago
OMG this guy got the same flippin name as me!!but not the Shihan part just William Oliver
Kickbox72 1 year ago
Now thatst an extreme kata!!!!
Kinghercules 1 year ago 3
WHAT A GREAT MASTER. RIP
lessons1930 1 year ago
I'm not a big fan of most karate I've seen in the US. Most of it is watered down junk with worthless, flashy techniques. However, I must say that this man has phenomenal technique. Clean, direct, and powerful.
Kymus 1 year ago
Master Oliver was saido karate and he always will be saido he had a great spirit that will always live on.That small dojo back in the 80s was AWSOME! i was a yellow belt back in the days. My nuckles were huge thanks to master oliver you are still the best.Thank you sir!
birddude3 2 years ago
@birddude3
always was seido karate? but what about that 1st world karate tournament organized by the kyokushinkaikan in 1975 ? Was Seido already established back then?Sosai Masutatsu Oyama was still alive then. I saw a documentary about that with Shihan Oliver in it as well and I think he still was with Kyokushinkaikan back then.
FaridYM 1 year ago
@FaridYM Seido was founded in 1976 partly because of events surrounding that Kyokushin-kai tournament. The story is told in Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura's autobiography _The Human Face of Karate_. Shihan Oliver was a student of Kaicho Nakamura, and followed him to the new Seido organization.
Shihan Oliver left Seido and struck out on his own a few years before his death. I was saddened by that decision, but honor his memory and his legacy. Osu!
TomSwiss5 1 year ago
Our Ravena Ny Dojo closed along time ago and Im sorry to hear he has passed. He was and will be a legend. OSU!
captbubbada1st 2 years ago
I train with him in the early 80's, I never forget those Tuesday night specail condition classes, they were brutal.
Nelson Castillo
ncast54 2 years ago
THis is hard real karate. I'm honored to watch.
brotherminister1930 2 years ago
Ous. What Kata is this?
mifi22 2 years ago
Kanku
Blackbird112290 2 years ago
I had the honor to train with Shihan back in the 80's. He was a person with the utmost integrity. His technique was flawless. I remember the times we would go to the Jamaican Bar on the second floor after training and then you would hear the great karate stories from him, Mike Husband and Sensei Paul. I miss those days and I really miss him. The world has lost a true treasure. God Bless Shihan and his family. Osu! David Demurjian
Lennox35T1 2 years ago 6
One of the best Kushanku/Kanku katas I have seen. Classic video.
SithV1 2 years ago
Wow rob, you are lucky to have taken classes with him. I keep this in my fav's and watch it every now and then, and every time I watch I'm still as blown away as the first time I saw it.
Seidojuku26 2 years ago
He was one of my heroes. I took a number of classes from him in the early '80's, and he was one of the most spirited, skilled, martial artists I have ever seen. He was an amazing physical presence. Really nice guy too. I was sad to hear of his untimely passing.
robsocalrob 2 years ago 2
Wow that is incredible. He was a karate genius. I study in Sydney Australia. Osu everyone!
Seidojuku26 2 years ago
I also studied with (then) Sensei Oliver at 23rd St. in the early 80's. One thing to keep in mind while watching this flawless kata is that this is how he did it EVERY TIME. Didn't matter if the cameras were rolling or if he was practicing by himself in an empty dojo.
sudsamatic 2 years ago 4
There were several occasions where we were able to watch him perform the same kata off camera and he was as close to exactly the same as you see here as one can get.
MartialArchiveTv 2 years ago
You're totally right on that one. I was there at that time as well. He would teach back to back classes and would shadow box and hit the heavy bag between classes with endless energy. He was always the consummate professional, and had perfect technique and such explosive power.
robsocalrob 2 years ago 2
Does, anyone know how he passed?
HumpN81 2 years ago
HEART ATTACK
1012x2 2 years ago
He died of a heart attack in November 2004 at his upper west side dojo. It was on a Saturday morning, and I remember just getting out of class at the 23rd street dojo when I heard the news
Blackbird112290 2 years ago
An excellent and dedicated martial artist and expert in his field. Respect. And without a doubt , his techniques and fighting prowess were legendary as those who had went to JAPAN and trained as an Uchi Deshi of Oyama Dojo from the 1960's - 1979.
MDIS 3 years ago
I studied with William Oliver back in the early 1980s. A tremendous karate man: fast, strong, and dedicated to Seido. At the 23rd St. dojo, I heard many stories about his fighting and training skills at the old 14th St. dojo with Shihan Nakamura and the original members of that dojo. RIP
sunraider7 3 years ago
wow dat form was beautiful
laydielion 3 years ago
william oliver passed? i didn't know that. i remember seeing him on that documentary fighting black kings (aka "this is karate"). he was THAT dude on there.
anyway, RIP.
LongBeach2SanDiego 3 years ago
That is how a fighter does kanku.
Achillies101 3 years ago 2
OSU SHIHAN!
You will be remembered forever.Rest in peace.
Laszlo, ex-Kishi Karate Henry Oh student
mrex44 3 years ago
if anyone was wondering I believe this is Kanku (the name of the kata)
Blackbird112290 3 years ago
OSU, I knew Shuseki-Shihan William Oliver. My son and I trained under him briefly at his dojo in New York City. I love the video. I would like a copy of it if I may. Thank you for keeping his legacy alive. OSU.
sgtpac 3 years ago
HEY!! Ive heard so much about Master Oliver. I came up under GM Ki Whang Kim with Albert Cheeks and Mike Warren and they told me about Master Oliver from NY. Good video.
Kinghercules 3 years ago
Osu Shihan, may you always rest in peace.
Blackbird112290 3 years ago
Osu, I study with then Sensei Oliver back in the early 80's those Tuesday evening classes at the 23rd street dojo were really intense. I also recall all the tournaments we attented especially the Henry Cho tournament at MSG. I will continue to miss you always. OSU.... I will like to talk with anyone who was a student back in the early 80's at 23rd street dojo to share a lot of memories... Nelson
ncast54 3 years ago
OSU!!! Shihan Oliver!!!! Wow, this video brought tears to my eyes. GOD BLESS HIS SOUL!! I train under Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, on 23rd street. Everytime I saw Shihan, I got goose bumps. He is so powerful. We would put smiles on our faces when we saw each other. Thank you so much for posting this video. I could watch it over and over again. Thank GOD! I got to see him do this form LIVE!!! RIP SHIHAN!!!!! Thak you for teaching me so much. OSU!!!!!
CeronHector 3 years ago
osu shihan oliver
senpablo30 3 years ago
Rest In Peace Uncle Pee Wee...We will ALWAYS remember you!
younghustle44 3 years ago
A masters - Master! rest in Peace Sensei!!!
Anthony G. (Godan) Okinawa te
giatime 3 years ago
osu shuseki shihan thank you for teaching me karate rest in peace osu!
malachiyehudah 3 years ago
Shuseki Shihan's Prowess shows absolute spiritual insight and the highest emotional content. One of the most inspiring videos ever! We miss you Respected Shuseki Shihan.
shauryashandilya 3 years ago
Osu, so very good, Osu.
hunda9 3 years ago
osu Shuseki Shihan!
SarahGheysler 3 years ago
This is a classic.
djcthegreat 3 years ago
simplemente un ejemplo
dentro de mi historia como artista marcial
el siempre ha sido uno de mis referentes
un verdadero guerrero
ossu
reeyees06 3 years ago
excelente gracias por subir este videoexcelente artista marcial y persona
lo fue
este peliador
uno de mis idolos
y para mi uno e los mejores budokas d ela historia
alguien digno de imitar
una pena que ya no este con nosotros
williamo olvier por siempre
osu
saludos from chile
senpablo30 3 years ago
Awesome , Osu
murigno 3 years ago
Awesome!! Osu !!
murigno 3 years ago
Wow, this is awesome and inspiring.
Thanks for posting.
Osu!
63yogi 3 years ago
Osu Shuseki Shihan, I remember you always so, and to use your words: "I love you, I respect you, I'm here" Osu Shuseki Shihan Oliver!
P.S: Thank you very much for this video.
filipposensei 3 years ago