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Raúl Rizo

Cuban colonel and president of the Cuban Karate Federation, who in 1978 trained KGB instructors in Moscow in his karate operativo system.

Quick Facts

Date of Death2011
Country of OriginCubaCuba
OccupationSoldier
Also known asDomingo Rodríguez Oquendo

Biography

Raúl Rizo, born Domingo Rodríguez Oquendo, was a Cuban colonel, president of the Cuban Karate Federation and creator of the karate operativo system. In Cuba he headed the personal defense commission. He died in 2011.

He learned kung fu from master Rufino Alaye. While working at the Cuban embassy in Tokyo, he studied at the traditional Ikeda school. In Japan he attained 6th dan in Joshinmon Shorin-ryu karate and 4th dan in kobudo.

His karate operativo system combines Okinawan karate with jujutsu locks and is designed for practical self-defense. In November 1978 he travelled with his assistant Ramiro Chirino to Moscow and, over three months, trained about 50 KGB agents there as instructors in this system. His methods were further taught in socialist countries including Angola, Mozambique and Nicaragua.

After his death he was referred to in Cuba as the father of karate-do.

Associated Martial Arts

KarateMaster→

An Okinawan striking art reshaped in the 20th century into Japanese budo and an Olympic sport. Built on kata and hand and foot techniques.

Organisations