Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramon Veras.
Ramon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
🥋 Ramon’s Journey: From Baseball Fields to Dojo Legacy
I was born in the Dominican Republic, where like many young boys, I was introduced early to the game of baseball. It was our national rhythm—played in the streets, dreamed in our hearts.
In the early 1970s, my family immigrated to Haverstraw, New York. I continued playing baseball through my second year of high school, but everything changed after seventh grade when I discovered Goju Ryu Karate-do. The discipline, philosophy, and spirit of karate captivated me. After earning my black belt, I stepped away from baseball and fully dedicated myself to martial arts—training, studying, and competing in tournaments across the East Coast and internationally, including the Central American and Caribbean Championships.
After high school, I earned an AAS in Electrical Technology from Westchester Community College and began working in medical engineering. Even while building a career, karate remained my passion. I knew one day I would open a dojo to pass on the art I loved to future generations.
Karate taught me more than technique—it gave me tools for life: goal setting, self-discipline, confidence, and a lifelong commitment to mental and physical development.
In 1982, I moved to Houston, Texas. I searched for a traditional Goju Ryu dojo but found none. I eventually connected with a club at the Post Oak YMCA and began teaching at the Alief YMCA. My work as a field service engineer took me across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, so I taught part-time until my schedule changed in 1990. That year, I opened my own traditional karate center in Sugar Land.
In 1996, I was honored to train at the renowned Jundokan Dojo in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, under Master Eiichi Miyazato. That experience deepened my commitment to the art and led to continued training trips to Okinawa and mainland Japan.
From 1994 to 1998, I taught karate full-time, but financial realities required a shift. I joined AT&T as a network design engineer, contributing to the development of high-speed internet and telecommunications. Yet karate remained my constant—my lifelong passion.
In 2019, I retired and returned to full-time teaching at my dojo in Sugar Land. While raising my three children, I also helped develop the Texas Sport Karate Association, creating competitive opportunities for youth in traditional karate.
Today, I continue to teach, coach, and lead. I founded the Pan American Okinawa Goju Ryu Association, hosting annual seminars across the U.S., Panama, Mexico, Bahamas, Chile, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Venezuela. I also serve on the USA National Karate Federation’s Examination Committee and Master Caucus, mentoring students and shaping the future of the art.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“Not at all—but that’s what made it meaningful. Like any kata, the path had tension, release, and unexpected turns.One of the greatest lessons karate has taught me is resilience. You learn to adapt to the situation, stay grounded in the moment, and never lose sight of your major goal. For me, that goal was always clear: I wanted to have my own dojo one day.When I first moved to Houston in the early ’80s, I couldn’t find a traditional Goju Ryu dojo. I trained wherever I could—YMCA clubs, weekend kumite sessions—while working full-time as a field service engineer, traveling across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. I taught part-time for years, always holding onto the dream.In 1990, I finally opened my karate center in Sugar Land. Teaching full-time from 1994 to 1998 was deeply fulfilling, but financially challenging. I returned to engineering, joining AT&T during the rise of high-speed internet. Even then, I never stopped teaching—I just adapted.There were sacrifices: time away from family, missed opportunities, and the constant balancing act between career, passion, and responsibility. But every struggle sharpened my purpose.Today, I teach full-time again, retired from engineering, and leading seminars across the Americas. The road wasn’t smooth—but it was sacred. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
“I’m a senior karate instructor, curriculum designer, and founder of a traditional Goju Ryu dojo in Sugar Land, Texas. My work blends classical Okinawan karate—rooted in both OGKK and JKF Goju Kai lineages—with modern wellness, youth development, and family engagement.I specialize in designing age-appropriate training programs that honor tradition while building confidence, discipline, and resilience in students of all ages. What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built: a dojo that feels like home, where families train together, milestones are celebrated, and every karate technique is a step toward total mind and body training.Over the years, I’ve coached athletes at national and international levels, helped shape organizations like the Texas Sport Karate Association and the Pan American Okinawa Goju Ryu Association, and led seminars across Latin America—from Panama to Chile—sharing the art and its values with diverse communities.What sets me apart is my commitment to legacy. I teach karate not just as a sport or self-defense system, but as a lifelong journey—a way to cultivate character, honor tradition, and serve others. Whether I’m guiding a child through their first karate technique or mentoring a senior student preparing for black belt, I see every moment as a chance to build something lasting.”
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Of all the lessons I’ve learned through karate, career, and life, the most important has been learning to adapt. Whether it was moving to a new country, balancing work and teaching, or navigating the ups and downs of opening a dojo, I’ve had to adjust to changing circumstances without losing sight of my purpose.Karate taught me that resilience isn’t just about strength—it’s about staying focused on your journey, even when the path shifts. I’ve always held onto the dream of having my own dojo, and through every challenge, I stayed committed to that vision.Adaptation and focus—that’s the rhythm that’s carried me forward.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sugarlandkarate.net/
- Instagram: @Tkc_Sugarland
- Facebook: Traditional karate center
