Bob Ozman: My First Karate Instructor

Below is the latest article found at WorldWideDojo.com, in my Legends and Legacies column. I hope you enjoy reading about Bob Ozman, my first karate instructor.
There were also three other archived columns posted at WWDJ, in various spots on the site. One was written for Karate Illustrated by me and Bob, about HIS main karate instructor, grandmaster Shimabuku, the creator of Isshinryu. I also had written about Johnny Atkinson (one of Bob's students, who was teaching for him when I first started lessons 48 years ago. Johnny passed away in the early 1990s, but the whole series shows the strong bond between martial arts students and their instructors. I hope you enjoy, and if you do, please let the publisher know by clicking "like" or dropping a note by email.
Thanks.

Bob Ozman: My First Karate Instructor


Bob Ozman: My First Karate Instructor

Bob Ozman/ my first instructor by Gordon Richiusa

I had the pleasure this week to interview Bob Ozman, a grand master in Isshin-ryu who studied directly with Tatsuo Shimabuku. Master Ozman was also my first karate instructor, fifty years ago April 2012. I will be 60 years old on that date and I was signed up for classes by my parents, on my 10th birthday. Bob Ozman was a lucky first sensei for me, as was his head instructor, Johnny Atkinson. Both men have made their ways into my next novel, THE PANDA CHRONICLES, which will be released soon. This novel is based upon the life of Rico Rose, an undercover detective known as The Panda, on the streets of San Fernando, a Los Angeles suburb. Bob Ozman was also Rico Rose's first karate instructor, which is why these characters have been named after my old sensei. Mr. Ozman has been involved with creating a new style of fighting he calls, MUSHIN-GI-TAI, which I will profile in my next Legends and Legacies column at WorldWideDojo.com.
For now, here is his MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE.