Master Crimmins assisted during class led by  Master Uechi on August 5th at the Dillsburg Karate Academy.

Master Uechi demonstrated techniques with Master Crimmins during his August 7th seminar in Dillsburg, PA.

Master Hovey and Master Crimmins practice bunkai during Master Uechi's August 7th seminar in Dillsburg, PA.

Master Crimmins taught kick techniques to the kyu ranks during Master Uechi's August 7th Seminar in Dillsburg, PA.

(L to R): Master Crimmins, Master Shin, Master Uechi, and Mrs. Crimmins at Master Uechi's August 14th Seminar at the Stafford Dojo in Virginia.

Master Crimmins took a moment to join his fellow students in learning kata techniques from Master Uechi during the August 15th Seminar at the King George Dojo in Virginia.

Master Crimmins began his martial arts career with Grand Master Georg Iberl in York, PA in 1969.  Immediately following high school, Master Crimmins joined the United States Marine Corps in 1973.  In 1974, he was stationed in the Far East for thirteen months.  There he studied Japanese Karate with the Japanese army in Fuji, Japan and Okinawan Kempo in Okinawa.

Master Crimmins (left) being promoted to 7th Dan by Grand Master Angi Uezu (right).

It was through this training that he discovered the true meaning of “bushido”.  His training was brutal.  “One hundred times worse than marine boot camp,” says Crimmins.  His fellow students and Senseis were merciless in their techniques.  It was because of this that their future actions would impact him so deeply.  He recalls being in the field training with the U.S. Marines when his Japanese commrades came to visit.  They brought him bottles of milk and rice cakes and checked to make sure he was okay.  Despite the intense training they shared, they truly loved him and made it a point to take care of him.  A true brotherhood existed among these students. “This is the true meaning of bushido,” Crimmins states.

Following his time in the Marines, Crimmins continued to train with Grand Master Iberl.  He participated in extensive training with Grand Master Angi Uezu during his visits to the United States.  He has also made several trips to Okinawa to train with Uezu Sensei.  The most recent trip was June of 2009.  

He has also had opportunity to train with Master Tsuyoshi Uechi in 1991 in the U.S. and during several trips to Okinawa, including this most recent trip. 

Master Crimmins' photo album is filled with pictures spanning his martial arts career.

In 1982, Master Crimmins was featured in Who’s Who in Martial Arts.  In 2004, he was promoted to 8^th Dan by Grand Master Uezu.  He is currently the North American Vice President for the Isshinryu Okinawa Traditional Karate-Do Association.  www.iotka.com  He is currently continuing his studies at the Dillsburg Karate Academy in Dillsburg, PA (www.dbgkarate.com) and with Kyoshi Karl Hovey (www.senseihovey.com).

  Master Crimmins believes karate is not a matter of muscle, but of heart.  “If the student trains with a pure heart, that’s the best karate in the world.”