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About Us

A Family Karate Academy in Riverview, FL

More than 40 years of experience in Karate-Do Shotokan.

Families Grow Stronger Together

Oliver Martial Arts is a family-owned and family-oriented academy located in Riverview, FL. We proudly serve students from Riverview, Valrico, Brandon, and nearby communities, providing a welcoming environment where families grow stronger together through martial arts.

OMA is associated with Bushi-do Karate Kai Shotokan PANACO, the school founded by Shihan Cecilio Ortega.

Shihan Ortega is an 8th Dan, a member of the JKA (Japan Karate Association), and a member and founder of AFMA (American Federation of Martial Arts), with more than 40 years of experience in Karate-Do Shotokan.

Shihan Ortega oversees academies in Panama, Argentina, NYC, and Florida (Riverview), and continues to train OMA’s Sensei, Rafael Oliver, in Shotokan, Weapons, and Self Defense.

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OMA Academy

Our History

OMA stands for Oliver Martial Arts, where we teach the art of Shotokan, a style of Karate developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi trained in popular styles of Okinawan karate and adopted the Kyu/Dan rank system and the uniform (Keikogi) developed by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo. This system uses colored belts (obi) to indicate rank.

Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate (or Niju Kun), which form the foundations of the art. They are heavily based on bushido and Zen, where the philosophy of Shotokan lies.

The dojo kun lists five philosophical rules for training in the dojo. It is posted on a wall of the dojo, and students are encouraged to memorize it, as it provides motivation and a context for further training. At OMA, we zealously follow the dojo kun.

Funakoshi had many students, and internal disagreements led to the creation of different organizations. Today there is no single “Shotokan School,” although they all bear Funakoshi’s influence. Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential form of karate-do and is a widely practiced style. Its training is divided into three parts:

Kihon

Basics

Kata

Forms, or patterns of moves

Kumite

Sparring

For more information on these, visit our dojo.

What “OMA” Means

In Japanese, OMA 黄麻 means jute, a strong fiber. In Hebrew, the original language, it means cedar tree and leadership.

Our purpose is to teach our OMA students, of all ages, to be strong leaders with integrity, so that their behavior as Shotokan karate practitioners out in the world leaves an impression like the cedar tree, of fragrant aroma. As Funakoshi wrote:

“The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant.”

Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan

Our Team

Meet Our Instructors

Sensei · Owner

Rafael Oliver

Owner of Riverview OMA Karate-do, Sensei Oliver was born in Panama City in 1970. He holds degrees in Naval Engineering and Education and a Doctorate in Theology, and he is an Ordained Minister.

With 30 years of training in traditional Karate-do, he began his journey in Shotokan Karate-do at the age of 18, obtaining his Black Belt certification in 1992 under the American Federation of Martial Arts (AFMA), under the instruction of Shihan Cecilio Ortega in Panama City, Panama. Sensei is also a U.S.A. National Karate-Do Federation Judge and an AAU Judge & Coach.

Sensei Rafael continues his training under Shihan Cecilio Ortega.

Senpai · Co-owner

Ian

Black belt in Shotokan Karate and first-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Senpai at our Riverview Academy.

Co-owner. He has lived in Tampa since he was 5 years old. He holds a BS degree in Film Production with a minor in Communications, finishing his education in Los Angeles, California at the LA Institute of Film. Senpai Ian also has an M.B.A. degree. He has been involved in martial arts since he was a teenager, starting with Taekwondo, where he earned his First-Degree Black Belt. He later switched to Shotokan Karate, following in Sensei Oliver’s steps, where he also earned his black belt.

Senpai Ian has vast experience working with kids and teenagers; he was a volunteer at his local library branch for over 12 years. He continues his training in Shotokan Karate-do under Sensei Rafael Oliver at the Riverview Dojo.

Senpai

Carolyn

Second-degree black belt and a teacher for over 20 years, with degrees in Elementary and Special Education.

Born and raised on the beautiful West Indian islands of Trinidad & Tobago, where she began her training in Shotokan Karate. In 1995, Carolyn moved to the U.S. and earned her first- and second-degree black belts while residing in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she met and married her husband and began her family.

Carolyn is a Nova Southeastern University alum with a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Special Education. She has been a teacher for over 20 years and is currently an Upper Division Science teacher at Brandon Academy. Carolyn loves working with and training all her students, especially her young daughter, Aliyah, who is also enjoying her karate experience. She continues her training in Shotokan Karate-do under Sensei Rafael Oliver at the Riverview Dojo.

Senpai

Rafi

Shodan rank in Shotokan. Competitor in Kata and Kumite, and an AAU coach & judge.

Rafi, as he is lovingly called by his friends, began his martial arts training in Taekwondo when he was 4 years old, but switched to Shotokan Karate-do when he was 6, following in his older brother’s and father’s steps. He has competed at AAU, NKF, NKF & AAU Nationals, and local Open Tournaments in both Kata and Kumite.

Academically, he is an A-honor student and an avid soccer player who has played competitively in a local league and on his school team. He believes his karate training has enhanced his speed and kick techniques, showing others that the discipline learned in Karate can be applied to other sports. He continues training under Sensei Oliver & Shihan Ortega.

Senpai Assistant

Natasha

3rd Kyu, AAU Coach, and Athlete of the Year in 2022 & 2023 in her category. Teaches the After-School Cubs class.

Ms. Natasha was born in Anchorage, Alaska and now lives in Florida. She joined OMA as a Karate student in 2021, training hard, demonstrating effort, and joining the competition team in 2022. She has been a devoted competitor in both Kata & Kumite, and she is preparing to attend college to study psychology.

She currently assists Senpai Ian with the After-School Program Karate & OMA Cubs classes, continues to train under Sensei Oliver, and continues to shine in her category in AAU competitions.

Meet Our Staff

Manager

Barbara Oliver

Manages the Riverview academy, the After-School Transportation Program, and Summer Camp. Fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

Barbara moved to the New Tampa area in 1998 from El Paso, TX. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and worked at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center doing cancer research and at Meridien Research as a Director for the Brooksville and Bradenton offices. She also holds a B.A. in Theology and is working on her Master’s degree in Theology. Ms. Barbara is originally from Puerto Rico.

Assistant Manager

Ms. Veronica

Works with After-School Karate & Transportation, karate classes, and the Summer Camp programs at OMA Riverview.

Ms. Veronica, born and raised in Puerto Rico, moved to the Tampa area in 2014. She is a military wife and mother of four who has a diploma in Pastry & Bakery and has played the cello for more than 30 years. She loves arts & crafts, music, dancing, and most of all, working with kids. She is also an OMA Karate student.

As part of the OMA team, she assists Ms. Barbara with the day-to-day program, activities, crafts, administration, and summer camp.

Karate Program Assistant & Transportation

Paola

Assists with the Karate program and After-School Transportation. Fully bilingual, with more than 4 years of daycare experience.

Miss Paola was born and raised in Venezuela and moved to the Tampa area in 2018. She studied at Universidad Pedagógica Libertador in Caracas, specializing in Hearing Impairment. Paola has been practicing Karate since the age of 8 and has over 5 years of experience in the sport. She also trained for more than 3 years at Proyección Latina school. She is passionate about music, dance, and especially working with children.

Aftercare Team

Ms. Myrta

Volunteers with our After-School Program, assisting with day-to-day After-School Karate & Transportation activities.

Ms. Myrta is originally from Puerto Rico. Because of her passion and past child-care experience, she volunteers with our After-School Program at OMA Riverview. She loves to work with children, and besides her life experience, she brings to the academy love, dedication, loyalty, and creativity.