By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
As the West Haven Academy of Karate marks its 50th anniversary, the moment it brings comes with a deep sense of pride, reflections and transformation. Founded in November of 1975 by Charles Ferraro, who was a 2nd-degree Black belt at the time, fulfilled his dream of opening his own martial arts school.
With the opening of his school, which is known as a dojang in the martial arts craft language, Ferraro became the first non-Asian American to open the likes of one in Southern Connecticut at the time. Since then, throughout what is now a half-century, Ferraro was able to grow the West Haven Academy of Karate into a nationally respected martial arts school that has been internationally recognized, that has taught an estimated student number of over 30,000 since their first class.
The classes teach the art of Tang Soo Do, which is a Korean martial art that combines Chinese and Okinawan style elements. The origins of Tang Soo Doo trace back to as far as 57 BC as Hwa Rang Do. The style blends the “hard” strikes and kicks of Japanese karate with the “soft” blocking and countering of Okinawan karate and kung fu.
Out of the 30,000 students, roughly 5,000 have been promoted to Black Belt in the arts, and approximately 500 have been able to achieve the Master’s Level.
Becoming a Master instructor takes a minimum of 14 years of practice in martial arts, which also is a showcase of built-up skill and determination along with patience. Due to so many students earning higher ranks and their masterships in Tang Soo Do, the West Haven Academy of Karate has become one of the most prestigious Tang Soo Do centers in the world.
Students have also competed in local, state-wide, national and international competitions, where the Academy has been able to produce champions on all levels. Overall, the Academy has produced two world champion sparring teams, four international silver medal teams, 12 national sparring team gold medals and 8 national team gold medals, along with hundreds of international and national individual gold medalists from 1978 to present day here in 2025.
Throughout the years Charlie Ferraro has had the opportunity to be trained under world-renowned instructors such as Grandmaster Hwang Kee, Grandmaster Andy AhPo and Grandmaster Hyun Chul Hwang.
Ferraro calls it a “privilege” to train under such greats over the years, which has led him to receive his 10th dan in Tang Soo Do in 2023 from AhPo.
With decades of experience and building the Academy to the world-class prestige that it is now, Charlie Ferraro has announced that he will be taking a step back. This comes so he can give more attention to the proper administration over their national organization that is Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc., Ferraro said he will still continue to teach at the West Haven Academy on Mondays and at the Academy will also continue to act as the national headquarters for the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association.
The West Haven Academy of Karate will continue to serve residents of West Haven and its surrounding towns “for years to come,” but will now be under the direction of Ferraro’s nephew Sa Bom Nim Jim Savidge, who is an 8th Dan in Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan.
Savidge has been a student of Ferraro’s since the age of eight and has been teaching the art for 44 years.
Ferraro says that he is confident that students are in good hands.
He said Savidge an “exceptional martial arts technician,” in a career of nearly 30-years in the IT field as both a worker and supervisor has given him a unique skill set to propel the Academy over the next decade.
Although Ferraro will still be active at the Academy and believes it will be in good hands, he still sees this as a bittersweet moment.
“It is sweet because I am confident that Master Savidge is exactly the right successor to carry on the history and prestige of our great martial arts school,” he said.
Ferraro also said that this move comes with a satisfied sense of fulfillment, as his fifty years of work has proven to be something that will last for many more decades and has left and will continue to leave a positive mark on the world stages. Ferraro also wishes his students will take what is learned to enrich themselves and their families for years to come.