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 two men’s last names (Kirby and Ozuna) and does not stand for knockout. They decided the name “O-K Karate” was not as appealing.

1992 Instructors (From left to right): Mr. Lynds, Mr. C, Mrs. Zeiler, Mr. Kirby, Master Ozuna, Mr. McLaren, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Zeiler

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.

Part of the 1993 Gilroy K.O. Tournament Team in front of Gilroy K.O. : BACK ROW: (from left side to right side) Deutron Kebebew, Shaun Sittinger, Brian Sittinger, Jayme Zeiler, David Sittinger, Lucio Ortiz, Larry Chandler, Batzi Kuburovich, Lee Blackwood, Dennis Saenz, Lee Saenz, Jackie Sittinger. FRONT ROW: Ron Lynds, Eddie McLaren, Kathy Zeiler, Pete C.

If you have not been to many other martial arts schools, you might be taking the beauty and history of our school for granted. Some of the wall decorations are actually pieces from an ancient Chinese Temple. Some of the pieces have figures in them with intriguing stories behind them. If you are curious, I’m sure Master Ozuna would be happy recount their history.

Master Ozuna began to study Martial Arts at age 6 when he took a course in Judo. From a very early age he was intrigued both by Chinese and Asian cultures and particularly fascinated by the way these cultures are expressed in both the hard and soft forms of Martial Arts. He saw his first Kung Fu demonstration at age 7 or 8 in Chinatown (San Francisco). Ever since then he wanted to pursue Chinese martial arts. In June of 1981, at age 12, he first attended classes at San Jose East West Kung Fu Karate where he began his studies of Bok-Fu-Do with Grand Master Richard Lee.

Master Ozuna began instructor training as a white belt! He pursued his studies with such dedication and drive that Grand Master Lee commented, “You are going to be one of my Black Belts someday”.  His path became clear. Master Ozuna became an instructor at East West less than a year after beginning his Bok-Fu-Do training. He earned his Black Belt in the summer of 1988 after a long and grueling testing process.

Master John Ozuna began tournament competition as a white belt in 1981. At age 12 he fought his first full contact fight. He fought a green belt and won by knock-out less than two minutes into the first round.

His most memorable tournament by far was the first World Kuoshu Championship held in Taipei, Taiwan in 1992. Grand Master Richard Lee coached the U.S. Championship Team. At the time John Ozuna weighed 143 lbs and was supposed to fight in the “lightweight” class (max weight 144 lbs). Due to a last minute coaching decision (not by Grand Master Lee) Master Ozuna was bumped up two weight classes to fill a vacant spot on the U.S. Team.  Two weight classes put him in the “light heavy” weight class which has a max weight of 175 1bs.   At the first weigh-in, Master Ozuna was told he could not fight as a light heavy weight unless he gained 25 lbs!! He had 1 hour to accomplish this. After eating multiple apples, oranges, power bars, etc. he realized he needed another weight gain solution. His team uniform (a sweat suit) had several pockets. His teammates helped out, filling his pockets with water bottles, cameras, fanny packs of coins, etc. At the next weigh-in he tipped the scales at 151 lbs, 17 lbs short of the mark!! He was allowed one more attempt. After he acquired the remainder of the U.S. teams complete portfolio of cameras and assorted electronic devices, at the final weigh-in, Master Ozuna met the bar and qualified to fight as a light heavyweight.

With his attitude, his wisdom “perfectly achieved” ¹, Master John Ozuna has created in K.O. more than just a great environment to teach martial arts. The K.O. story is that of a family of people embarked together on a life long path towards martial arts excellence – and having an enormous amount of fun along the way!!