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November 12, 2022 had already been a long and exciting day for the USNA club karate team, Navy Karate, at the American Kyokushin International Tournament in Holley, New York. Then-President, Midshipman LTJG Larah Alberto, stepped onto the mat for her last fight of the night. She faced an exceedingly tough opponent, a woman who had just prevailed over Alberto’s fellow teammate, and now the fight was intense, rising to a crescendo of heavy body blows on both sides. As current Navy Karate Vice President Dylan Steidley tells it, “Then out of the corner of the room, someone from the audience yelled "Go Navy!" Larah kicked it (literally) into high gear, throwing a flurry of solid strikes and kicks in quick succession with considerable power, pushing her opponent out of the ring, and winning the fight.”

The Power of a Strong Community

It was not an unusual scene for this team, which is built on the strong sense of community that powers all Naval Academy sports teams. In high stakes competitions like this, it’s what pushes Navy over the top to get the win—and while Alberto has since graduated and been commissioned as Ensign Alberto, that spirit continues to fuel the success of Navy Karate. 

Steidley is especially enthusiastic about the community bond. “My favorite part about the team is the community we foster. Although karate is very much an independent competition, we have formed a tight bond through our common goal of self-improvement and pursuit of excellence,” he says. An almost ten-year veteran in the martial arts, Steidley is a Weapons, Robotics and Control Major in the class of 2025. In his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, he trained to become a second grade black belt in American Kenpo Karate, and was an instructor for a few years before he entered USNA. Now, Steidley, their coach and a team of officers help the team continue to grow and thrive. 

Striving Toward Black Belt Excellence

Navy Karate was founded in the late 1980s or early 1990s, and the earliest black belt was a 1995 graduate. Currently, the club is run by the following midshipmen: President and Captain LTJG Bartosz Blonski (1/C), Vice President Steidley (2/C), PAO and Treasurer Adrienne Olesnicky (1/C) and Secretary Leon Battle (3/C). Retired Navy Commander, Sensei Anthony Clark serves as their coach. They practice Won Hop, Kyokushin, Shotokan and American Kenpo Karate, and hold their training in the second floor Lejeune Dojo four times a week. They also offer two open weekly mat practices to give team members and any interested midshipmen independent training opportunities when they have time. There is no formal season; training and tournaments occur all year.

According to Navy Karate’s site, “The purpose of the karate team is to instill the traditional way of martial arts, team unity, heighten and refine one’s awareness of self-discipline, ultimately spread “The Way” and to develop a warrior ethos. It is through intensive and extensive training that this end shall be met. The training is to be looked upon with the utmost sincerity and seriousness.” The team follows these tenets in everything they do. They also pride themselves on not conducting tryouts; Navy Karate accepts and trains midshipmen without any labels or martial arts and background. As Steidley notes, “Our culture is one of striving towards black belt excellence regardless of where you are in your journey.” All who seek this goal are welcome.

Honoring Tradition

While there isn’t a formal college league for club karate, the team competes in several American Kyokushin International tournaments throughout the country. They have amassed an impressive record in their tournaments, with a collective count of eight golds, two silvers and five bronze medals in the past year. Last Veterans Day, they traveled to the American Kyokushin International in Holley, New York, where Larah decimated her opponent. It’s the longest running Kyokushin tournament in North America, and will mark its 31st anniversary this year. “Not only was it one of our first tournaments since COVID, but it also was during Veterans Day weekend, which added a special significance to it,” says Steidley. The tournament gives them the opportunity to battle martial artists from around the country and sometimes around the world. 

Tournaments on the Horizon

The team will compete in the next American Kyokushin International Tournament this November, and possibly compete with the DMV Sport Karate Association. Then they’ll travel to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the American Kyokushin International: Battle of the Boardwalk. They may also participate in additional tournaments, and they are hoping to invite teams to compete on the Yard in the next year. 

Related: How Does Navyonline Support the Brigade of Midshipmen?

Feel the Power

Come support the team! As one of over 140 USNA clubs and activities, Navy Karate continues a long line of successful USNA sports traditions. When you visit the Yard, you’re supporting the midshipmen who give their all to these activities as well as their entire Naval Academy careers. The Naval Academy Business Services Division (NABSD) uses USNA tours, dining experiences and shopping proceeds to help fund extracurricular activities like cultural arts, theater, music, club sports and more—including the USNA Karate Club. Come feel the power of this extraordinary community.