Ooi’s Tae Kwon Do and OMAS (Ooi’s Martial Arts System) was founded by Grandmaster Ooi in London England in 1974. In 1985, Grandmaster Ooi emigrated to Canada and formed Ooi’s Taekwondo Canada, that was the start of an international organization. It has 7 member countries including Canada, Cayman Islands and Jamaica and continues to grow as more countries apply to be part of Ooi’s Taekwondo. He was also the Canadian Representative of the World Kumite Organization (WKO).

I first met him about fifty years ago when I was a young teenager and a Wado Kai Karate student of Grandmaster Carl Dyer in Walthamstow. Grandmaster Ooi was invited to give a demonstration and what I saw blew me away! One technique I remember clearly; he was being attacked by one our students and Grandmaster Ooi leapt into the air – backwards – while simultaneously executing a flying side kick! I had never seen anything like it, not even in the then popular martial arts movies. I wanted to quit Karate and join his school, but in those days, unlike today, it was unthinkable to leave your Master to train with another. Loyalty used to be a major factor in the world of Martial Arts.

Two years later, Grandmaster Carl Dyer stopped teaching and closed his Karate club. A school friend of mine and now Grandmaster Wade Smith, informed me that Grandmaster Ooi was teaching in Ross Wyld Hall, a venue at the top end of Walthamstow High Street. It was from there where I began my journey with Korean Martial Arts.

Grandmaster Ooi was a strict, stern disciplinarian and a stickler for time keeping. He required world class standards from his Black Belts and hard, rigorous training for his students but not just for Martial Arts techniques, he also trained us to become mentally strong and tenacious. At one grading (belt exam) he failed me. I was bewildered because I knew I gave an outstanding performance. At my next session, my Instructor, Grandmaster Philip Fashnu, told me that I was the best student on the day, but Grandmaster Ooi would occasionally fail a student to test their character, and see if they would continue training. I did persevere and months later, he double graded me at my next exam (again, unlike today, if you fail a student, you will never see them again).

One time, Grandmaster Ooi was holding a training session, about 20 miles outside London. His Black Belts along with several of their students travelled in cars to get there. We were about two or no more than five minutes late. Waiting at the front door was Grandmaster Ooi, wearing his dobok (uniform) and told us all to go home. I was never late for another class.

In 1985, Grandmaster Ooi moved to Canada and opened several schools there. My family and I made a trip to visit him in 2005, where he graciously received and showed us around. He lamented that he “no longer had fire in his belly for the Martial Arts” because the students there were not like the one’s he had left in London. He was a traditionalist and saw Martial Arts as a way of life but it was now giving way to commercialism, devoid of the ethics he was once proud to teach.

About 10 years ago, Grandmaster Ooi paid a visit to the UK and met up with some of his former students and gave a heartfelt apology for being so harsh with us. His remorse, in my opinion, was not necessary; he opened his schools on the rough side of Hackney and London’s east end in the early 1970’s. We were disenfranchised young men; some of us were thugs, some fatherless, others, unruly and undisciplined. Grandmaster Ooi had to be tough and firm but he was always fair! He became a father figure to those without one and a wise mentor to all of us.

My deepest condolences go out to his wife, daughters and family. I want you all to know that he is loved by many in the UK.

Grandmaster Ooi’s legacy continues through all his students. His memory and his name will always be raised with great honour and respect!

I salute you Sir. Farewell!