Shihan Gordon Doversola Dec 1, 1934 – April 12, 2011
Grandmaster Doversola was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He began his martial arts training at the early age of 7. He studied a wide variety of martial arts styles, obtaining instructor ratings in Kendo, Kempo, Jiu Jitsu and Kung Fu. Grandmaster Doversola moved to Los Angeles, CA in the early 50’s. In 1957, he opened his first school and was consistent and devoted in teaching the powerful art of Okinawa-Te to kids and adults for generations. Under the leadership of Grandmaster Doversola, the Okinawa-Te Organization has become well known and highly respected in the martial arts community and one of the forefathers of karate on the west coast. Grandmaster Doversola also served as technical advisor to the movie industry, appeared on television, and lists many Hollywood stars as students of Okinawa-Te such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Anne Francis, Steve McQueen, Joe Lewis, Jim Kelly, and Dan Inosanto to name a few.
“When it came to pure martial arts, that was my favorite style—it had everything including 36 long forms and all the weapons. Gordon originally had a jujitsu base and he had 56 amateur boxing bouts under his belt. He followed the Rosicrucian’s and could read the ethereal auras off people. I met one of his ju-jitsu masters who taught secretly in downtown L.A. many years ago. He loved his heritage and often took me to Pilipino restaurants; he enjoyed blending the Okinawan and his Pilipino weapons together..
Gordon and Frank Sinatra really hit if off so the story goes. Gordon was perhaps the first in this country to understand martial arts fight scene choreography to work in the film industry.”
– Joe Lewis