Owner of Riverview OMA Karate-do, was born in Panama City in 1970. Sensei holds degrees in Naval Engineer, Education, and a Doctorate degree in Theology. Sensei is also an Ordained Minister.  With 30 years of training in traditional Karate-do style, at the age of 18 he began his journey in Shotokan Karate-do, obtaining his Black Belt certification in 1992 under the American Federation of Martial Arts (AFMA), under the instruction of Shihan Cecilio Ortega in Panama, Panama City.   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. 

Co-owner, He is native of Tampa, since he was 5 yrs old. He holds a BS degree in Film Production and 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, and later he switched to Shotokan Karate following Sensei Oliver's steps, where he also earned his black belt .

Senpai Ian has vast experience working with kids and teenagers as he was a volunteer at his local library branch for over 12 years. He is Senpai at our Riverview Academy.

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Senpai Ian continues his training in Shotokan Karate-do under Sensei Rafael Oliver at the Riverview Dojo.  

Born and raised on the beautiful West Indian Islands of Trinidad & Tobago where she began her training in Shotokan Karate.  In 1995, Carolyn immigrated 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.   She realized her dream of becoming an American Citizen in 2013.  Carolyn is a Nova Southeastern University Alum with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and a M.S. degree 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 and training all her students, especially her young daughter, Aliyah, who is also enjoying her karate experience.

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Senpai Carolyn continues her training in Shotokan Karate-do under Sensei Rafael Oliver at the Riverview Dojo.  

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 originally from Puerto Rico, is fully bilingual in both Spanish and English.

 

She works full time at managing the Riverview academy, After-School Transportation Program, and Summer Camp.

Rafi, as he is lovingly called by his friends, has a Shodan rank in Shotokan.  Rafi began his martial arts training, Taekwondo when he was 4 yrs old, but switched to Shotokan Karate-do when he was 6 yrs old, following his older brother's and father's steps.  Presently, he is Senpai at the Riverview academy.  He has competed at AAU, NKF, NKF &  AAU Nationals, and local Open Tournaments in both Kata and Kumite. He is also an AAU coach & judge.

Academically, he is an A-honor student and an avid soccer player.  Presently, he is a competitor soccer player under Tampa Dynamo.  He believes that his karate training definitely has enhanced his speed and kick techniques to be able to play the forward, left/right mid field positions, indicating others that the discipline learned in Karate can be applied to various types of sports and one can become a 2 or more sport-athlete. 

 

He continues training under Sensei Oliver & Shihan Ortega.

Ms. Veronica, born and raised in Puerto Rico, moved to the Tampa area in 2014. She is a Military wife, mother of four, who has a diploma in Pastry & Bakery, has played the Cello for 30 yrs +.  She loves Arts & Crafts, music, dancing, and most of all, working with kids.  She is also an OMA's Karate student.

Ms. Veronica is the Assistant Manager and works with the After-School Karate &  Transportation,, Karate lessons classes, & the Summer Camp Programs at OMA Riverview.  

 

 

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

Ms. Myrta & Ms. Arelys are originally from Puerto Rico. Because of their passion and past child-care experiences, they volunteer with our After-School Program at OMA Riverview.  They love to work with children and besides their life experiences, they bring to the academy their love, dedication, loyalty, and creativity.
 

 

As volunteers, Ms. Myrta and Ms. Arelys assist with the day to day After-School Karate & Transportation Program activities.

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 competing team in 2022. Presently, Ms. Natasha is a 3rd KYU and teaches After-School Cubs class. 

She has been a devoted competitor, which made her Athlete of the year in 2022 & 2023 under her category, in both Kata & Kumite.  She is also preparing herself to attend college to study psychology. 

 

Currently, assists Senpai Ian with the After-School Program Karate & OMA Cubs classes, continues to train under Sensei Oliver, and continues to outshine in her category in the AAU competitions, both Kata & Kumite.  Ms. Natasha is also an AAU Coach.