OCCIDENTAL SHORIN RYU KARATE FEDERATION

LEADERSHIP

Grand

Patriarch-Mentor

Go Dan

RICHARD NILSSON

The Grand Patriarch Go Dan Richard Nilsson, began his Shorin Ryu Karate training in Yokosuka, Japan, while serving as a U.S. Marine.

After years of hard training, he was awarded Sho Dan (1st-degree black belt), in 1959. Upon returning to the United States in 1960, he created the Shorin Ryu Karate Dojo, in Chicago, Illinois. In the ensuing years, he returned to Japan annually, living and training with Master Haruka Nakama.

In 1969, he became one of only five men in history, and the one and only occidental man, to be awarded the highest rank of Go Dan (5th degree Red Belt), in the lineage of Master Haruka Nakama.

The Go Dan’s intense passion was not limited to karate. He also founded Shogun International Corporation, a very successful company that designed and manufactured sophisticated architectural design products, including ceilings, lighting, and wall systems. Additionally, he developed and owned commercial office properties in downtown Chicago.

During the past sixty years, the Grand Patriarch’s students, grand students, and great grand students have spread his teachings to Shorin Ryu Karate Dojos throughout the world.

The Grand Patriarch, Go Dan Richard Nilsson is dedicated to mentoring, and offering guidance to the Occidental Shorin Ryu Karate Federation.

Unfortunately, he is the only surviving Go Dan.

In the Occidental Shorin Ryu Karate Federation, we are so proud he is still with us, and we hope he will be for many years to come.

Master-President

O.S.R.K.F.

FREDDY TORRES

Master Freddy Manuel Torres Garcia was born in the city of Maracay, Venezuela in 1953.

During the past 50 years, he has devoted himself zealously to the practice and teaching of Shorin Ryu Karate.

Master Freddy Torres began his career as a Karateka in 1971. He was one of the first students of Sensei Glenn Bechtold in Maracay, Venezuela.

In 1979 he was promoted to Sho Dan (1st-degree BlackBelt). During this momentous promotion, he and another karateka were the first two men, in Latin America to be awarded this high honor. He was immediately appointed Senpai (Senior Karateka) and First Assistant to Sensei Glenn Bechtold.

Four years later, he was promoted to Ni Dan (2nd degree Black Belt) by Sensei Glenn Bechtold and our Grand Patriarch Go Dan Richard Nilsson, who was in Venezuela, at the time, sharing advanced training techniques.

In 1986, Master Freddy Torres was promoted to San Dan (3rd degree Black Belt).

After sixteen additional years of uninterrupted training, he was promoted to Yon Dan (4th degree Black Belt) on December 3, 2002, by Sensei Glenn Bechtold.

On July 25, 2019, Master Freddy Torres was designated by Grand Patriarch Go Dan Richard Nilsson to become Master of the Occidental Shorin Ryu Karate Federation (O.S.R.K.F).

This is the highest honor that has been granted since the death of Master Haruka Nakama.

In 2005 he moved to Comiso, Sicily, Italy, where he lives with his family, and from where he administers the presidency of our federation.

Master Freddy Torres has dedicated himself to the teaching of a multitude of Karatekas, throughout his lifetime, and continues to do so with unwavering devotion.

Yon Dan
Vice-President

ROBERT REYES

Sensei Robert Reyes was born in Maracay, Venezuela in 1968.

In 1984 he embarked on his lifelong journey within Shorin Ryu Karate. As a young karateka, he began training under the tutelage of Master Freddy Torres, at the dojo in Maracay, Venezuela.

In 1989, after five years of rigorous training, and at the age of twenty-one, he was promoted to Sho Dan (1st degree Black Belt).

During the ensuing years, Sensei Robert Reyes continued to demonstrate his proficiency and perseverance within the realm of Shorin Ryu Karate.

Thusly, he achieved Ni Dan (2nd degree Black Belt) in 2003.

Another seven years of arduous training and he successfully attained the rank of San Dan (3rd degree Black Belt), in 2010.

Ultimately, in 2017, he was promoted, by the President of the Federation, Master Freddy Torres, to Yon Dan (4th degree Black Belt). Yon Dan is the second-highest rank in the Occidental Shorin Ryu Karate Federation.

In addition to the responsibilities of his office, as Secretary of the O.S.R.K.F., Robert Sensei, while living in Austin Texas, was a powerful and guiding force in the training of the other senior Black Belts in the Federation.

Recently, Sensei Robert Reyes, a mechanical engineer with a Master’s degree in management, earned a major career advancement. He is currently living in St. Croix with his family, managing an oil industry development.

He continues in his role as Secretary of the Federation, and as advisor to the senior Sensei’s via Skype, and frequent visits to the various dojos in North America.

OUR SENIOR SENSEIS

The O.S.R.K.F. is proud to present you our most advanced karatekas. The men you will see below are our most experienced karatekas who are currently active. They have dedicated themselves for decades to the practice, study, and teaching of Shorin Ryu Karate.