KKNY-NJ offers classes in KYOKUSHIN Karate
meeting 7 days a Week at 3 Tri-State Area Locations
Members of All Ages & Abilities, Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced students & Black Belts
*Enjoy UNLIMITED drop-in privileges to nearly any Class on the KKNY-NJ schedule,
*Have access to special guest classes, monthly workshops, community events & competitions
*May train at IKO-affiliate Dojos in over 120 countries around the world
*And benefit from membership in the International Karate Organization ~
*The Worldwide Network of KYOKUSHIN Karate practitioners is over 12 million strong
JOIN US!
For KKNY Advanced Rank members, targeted seminars & training sessions are offered monthly to cover the detailed curriculum, and to prepare for apprenticeship.
For high-ranking Black Belts and members with plans to open an affiliate Dojo, the IKO Kyokushinkaikan offers training opportunities to advance their technical and professorial skills at the annual, IKO Instructors Training Intensive Course held at the IKO Kyokushinkaikan World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
The teachings of KYOKUSHIN Founder, Sosai Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama were not only physical, but spiritual and philosophical.
It takes a very special individual to teach, and a truly exceptional person to teach KYOKUSHIN. The IKO KKNY Branch has a team of instructors from around the world. Each is a Certified Black Belt with the International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkaikan. Individually, our Instructors have a minimum of 4yrs dedicated experience here at KKNY, to well over 30years in the Kyokushinkaikan.
Each instructor has a unique teaching style and talent, but all our instructors remain practitioners in their own right, with spiritual balance, athletic prowess, focused determination and a dedicated sense of purpose.
Please feel free to visit us, and meet with any member of our Instructor Team for more information on The Kyokushin Way, Osu!
Shihan Katsuhito Gorai
7th Dan
Born and raised in the motherland of karate, Japan, Katsuhito Gorai began Kyokushin training as a youth, and has since been continually involved in the organization; competing, judging and coaching knockdown fighters, spreading the philosophy and spirit of Kyokushin the world over. Sosai Mas Oyama himself personally appointed Shihan Gorai to his post as Branch Chief for the USA; it was the last appointment Sosai made before his untimely death in April 1994. Mas Oyama challenged Gorai to open and establish the Kyokushin system in America, a task Shihan Gorai has taken on with immense dedication. Initially, a recognized national Championship contender in Japan, Shihan Gorai directed his path towards teaching and the growth and advancement of Kyokushin around the world. In so doing, he has formatted and conducted clinics, training seminars and camps as well as established and organized martial arts matches and international competitive championships in over 70 countries worldwide, including the first “Coupe du Monde” - World Cup Team Karate Championships event in Paris, France, the first Women’s World Karate Championships in New York and establishing the first full-contact US Weight Category Championships in Los Angeles and the renowned All American Open International Karate Championships in New York City; allowing ample opportunities for the further development and promotion of the Kyokushinkaikan and the advancement of all members. In his position as Director of the International Department for IKO Honbu (Headquarters), with offices in Tokyo & New York, and in his capacity serving as General Secretary & Member of the IKO International Committee, an advisory body to the Kyokushinkaikan Kancho Shokei Matsui, Shihan Gorai has had the honor of travelling to over 60 IKO-member nations to oversee the IKO International Tournament Circuit, as well as meet with, and train tens of thousands of IKO members over the last two decades. Shihan Gorai currently holds a 6th Degree (Roku Dan) Black Belt in the Kyokushinkaikan, is a Licensed IKO Tournament Official, and the IKO USA Branch Chief & Head Instructor for Kyokushin Karate New York KKNY.
Shihan Elizabeth Powell Gorai
5th Dan
Elizabeth Powell Gorai began her Kyokushin training as a teenager in New York City. Upon meeting her husband Katsuhito Gorai, the couple was commissioned by Kyokushin founder Sosai Mas Oyama to open a US Branch of the IKO in New York City and KKNY was formed. In her 30 plus years of training, Shihan Liz has taken Championship titles in Full and Semi-Contact Kumite, Kata and Weaponry and has participated in camps and seminars in North America, Europe & Asia, traveling extensively promoting Kyokushin. Currently, Shihan Liz directs and produces regional, national and international championship competitions & training events, including the first ever, full-contact, knockdown Women’s World Karate Championships, now an annual event that has become one of the most anticipated martial arts competitions on earth, showcasing the talent and power of female full-contact knockdown fighting. Shihan Liz is a prominent voice for women and children in the martial arts and has been interviewed for several media organizations including being featured in Women’s Sports and Fitness Magazine, on Fuji-TV’s “Woman Woman” in Japan, on ABC-TV News, Univision Los Angeles, on NBC Universal's The Today Show, & was featured with the Muppets on Sesame Street. Shihan Liz serves as Head Instructor & Program Director for KKNY. In 2011, she was appointed by Kancho Shokei Matsui to the rank of 5th Dan (Go Dan), becoming the first female 5th Degree Black Belt "Shihan" in Kyokushin.
Kyokushin Karate New York KKNY
Black Belts
KKNY Instructors are IKO Kyokushinkaikan Certified Black Belts of the highest caliber. It is said that out of 100 students who begin Kyokushin training, only 1 becomes an IKO Black Belt. ~And only 1 in 5 IKO Black Belts go on to become IKO Kyokushinkaikan Instructors. KKNY is fortunate to have over a dozen IKO Black Belt Instructors teaching at our 3 Tri-State area locations. Each with a unique teaching style and forte, our KKNY Black Belt Team altogether has well over 100 years-combined experience training Kyokushin methodology, competing in Kyokushin championship tournaments, as well as coaching & teaching Kyokushin students of all ages and physical abilities. We all started as White Belts. You never know what you are capable of, until you begin. We welcome you to join our Dojo and see for yourself why KKNY offers the personal attention and attention to detail that will guide you to become an exceptional KYOKUSHIN karate-ka. ~OSU!
