Lineage

The American Kyokushin Karate Organization traces its lineage directly from Sosai Masutatsu Oyama through Hanshi Donald Buck and the present leadership.

Masutatsu Oyama

Sosai Masutatsu Oyama founded Kyokushinkai Karate and established his first dojo in Meijiro, Tokyo in 1954.

Donald Buck

Hanshi Donald Buck founded the American Kyokushin Karate Organization. He was Sosai Oyama's friend and first student in the United States, and established Oyama's Karate, later Buck's School of the Tiger, in San Francisco in 1957.

Frederick Buck

Hanshi Fred Buck is president of the American Kyokushin Karate Organization and son of founder Hanshi Donald Buck. He began teaching martial arts in 1973 in Sacramento, California and was promoted to 9th Dan by the organization council.

Armando Cappa

Kyoshi Armando Cappa is vice president of the American Kyokushin Karate Organization. He began Kyokushin training in 1972 and founded his own dojo in 1980.