The Naval Academy Karate Team's roots extend far deeper than its ten years under John Critzos's tutelage.  The style taught historically began in Okinawa with Takahara and Kussanku, a Chinese envoy who brought weaponless fighting to Okinawa.  There they taught "Karate" Sakugawa.  The tradition then passed from Sakugawa to "Bushi" Matsumara, who earned the title of bushi, or warrior, for his role as the main imperial guard of the Okinawan king.  Karate then grew exponentially as it was introduced by Matsumura's student, Anko Itosu, into the Okinawan public schools in 1902.  This was done as a result of Itosu's belief that karate was of benefit to one's character, and what better place to begin than the public school system.

    From there, it was handed to the next member in the karate lineage, Yabu Kentsu, known as "The Sergeant," for he was widely feared and respected for his truculent training practices in the Okinawan army.  He believed that training must be with one's ultimate goal in mind, namely to disable the opponent.  Only then was the true essence of karate understood.  His pupil, Toyama Kanken, founded the Shudokan at Nihon University in Japan.  And it was there that the Korean-born Ki Whang Kim trained, eventually becoming the first non-Japanese captain at the Japanese institution.  His heritage adds a Korean mix to our karate-do style, which has already been influenced by the Japanese and Chinese tradition.  Ki Whang Kim then transformed his knowledge to John Critzos II, who established the Naval Academy program and has continued to train and develop the Midshipman under his tutelage.