THE LEADERSHIP
GRANDMASTER ROBERT P. LECLERC
Grandmaster Robert P. Leclerc began training In 1979 at age 7 with Master Don Southerton (Dan # 19192) in Newburgh, NY (Master Southerton was a student of H.C. Hwang). Although he has had an illustrious career to date, he remains humble and driven. He continues to train daily and compete regularly, setting an incredible example for his students and colleagues, both inside and outside of the do jang. He is currently an 8th Dan.
Dates of Promotion:
- 1984 – Tested for Black Belt with the U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan as a participant of the 76th Dan Class held in West Point.
- 1984 – He received Dan # 26181 from the USTSDMDK Federation.
- 1988 – Tested for 2nd Degree Black Belt with the U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in Springfield, NJ.
- 1993 – Tested for 3rd Degree Black Belt with Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan with Master Hong under the guidance of Master Seo.
- 1994 – Tested for 3rd Degree Black Belt with Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan with Grand Master Lee from the United Kingdom.
- 1994 – Tested for 3rd Degree Black Belt under the Guidance of Grand Master Nam from East Stroudsburg, PA in the Art of Tae Kwon Do.
- 1997 – Tested for 4th Degree Black Belt with Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan with Grand Master Chong Su Kim.
- 2002 – Tested for 5th Degree Black Belt with Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan with Grand Master Chong Su Kim.
- 2008 – Tested for 6th Degree Black Belt with Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan with Grand Master Chong Su Kim.
- 2014 – Tested for 7th Degree Black Belt with Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan with Grand Master Song Ki Kim (Dan # 312).
- 2022 - Tested for 8th Degree Black Belt with Grand Master Song Ki Kim (Dan # 312).
Teaching History:
Grandmaster Leclerc began teaching children’s classes in 1986 under the guidance of Master Don Southerton. From 1988-1990, he served as the Head Instructor of Southerton Karate in New Windsor, NY and the Assistant Head Instructor in Newburgh NY. In 1990, he chose to enlist in the United States Army. From 1990-1993, he worked as a Military Police Officer. While stationed in Germany, he was given the privilege to instruct fellow Military personnel in unarmed combat. During this time, he was also employed by the Department of Defense to start a martial arts program for children of soldiers stationed on his base.
In 1994, Grandmaster Leclerc returned to the United States to continue teaching for Master Southerton and various other programs.
In 1996, Grandmaster Leclerc opened Leclerc’s Martial Arts in Hyde Park. Since 1996, he has opened several other schools in the Hudson Valley and has promoted nearly 750 black belts. He serves as the Head Coach of Team Leclerc and has trained numerous world champions and teams
to compete nationally and internationally.
Leclerc’s Martial Arts currently includes six schools located throughout the Hudson Valley, NY.
Competition Highlights:
- 1985 – Golden Fist Nationals Winner of Super Junior Divisions (Semi-Contact)
- 1990 – Full Contact Kickboxing in Europe
- 1991 – Grand Champion in Fighting (Bad Kreznach, Germany)
- 1991 – Grand Champion in Fighting (Ramstein Airbase, Germany)
- 1992 – Oyama Knock Down Tournament, 1st Place Men’s Welter Weight (Germany)
- 1995 – Qualified for Senior Nationals USTU Fighting Welter Weight Penn State Games
- 2001 – World Champion Continuous Sparring at World Cup Internationals (Reston, VA)
- 2002 – World Champion Continuous Sparring at World Cup Internationals (Reston, VA)
- 2003 – World Champion Continuous Sparring at World Cup Internationals (Reston, VA)
- 2004 – Fought in Greece World Games, Sponsored by Martial arts Alliance – Placed 2nd in all divisions
- 2004 – Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2005 – Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2004-2005 – Voted Number 9 of Top 10 Light Heavyweights in the USA on pointfighter.com
- 2006 – World Top 10 (NASKA)
- 2014 – World Top 10 (NASKA)
- 2015 – World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2015 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2016 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2017 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2018 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2019 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2019 Traditional Forms World Champion (NASKA)
- 2020 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2021 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2022 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
- 2023 Light Heavyweight World Champion in Fighting (NASKA)
An avid competitor, Grandmaster Leclerc has won at tournaments all over the world. He has been inducted into the Amerikick Hall of Fame, the Ocean State Grand Nationals Hall of Fame, the Diamond Nationals Hall of Fame and the Battle of Boyertown Open Hall Of Fame.
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Master sean o'hearn
master jesse scheffler
master jesse scheffler
Master Sean O'Hearn started training in 1992, and received his black belt in 1997 with Grandmaster Leclerc. He is currently a 7th Dan.
Known affectionately as "Master O", he operates the Red
Oaks Mill location.
He loves competing and has numerous NASKA World Top Ten finishes, as well as grand championship wins at sport karate and traditional
Master Sean O'Hearn started training in 1992, and received his black belt in 1997 with Grandmaster Leclerc. He is currently a 7th Dan.
Known affectionately as "Master O", he operates the Red
Oaks Mill location.
He loves competing and has numerous NASKA World Top Ten finishes, as well as grand championship wins at sport karate and traditional tournaments across the U.S. and abroad.
Master O loves teaching and training with his peers.
Master O's favorite weapon is the Bo and his favorite kick is inside outside kick.
master jesse scheffler
master jesse scheffler
master jesse scheffler
Master Jesse Scheffler began training in 1999 at age 9 under Master Leclerc in Hyde Park. He went on to earn his 1st degree Black Belt at age 13. Master Scheffler tested for Master in 2011. He is currently a 6th Dan.
He serves as the Operational Manager for Leclerc’s Martial Arts, the Head Instructor at the Leclerc’s Martial Arts Headquar
Master Jesse Scheffler began training in 1999 at age 9 under Master Leclerc in Hyde Park. He went on to earn his 1st degree Black Belt at age 13. Master Scheffler tested for Master in 2011. He is currently a 6th Dan.
He serves as the Operational Manager for Leclerc’s Martial Arts, the Head Instructor at the Leclerc’s Martial Arts Headquarters location, and a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of the ITSDPA.
He competed in his first intra-school tournament three months after joining the karate school and began competing outside the karate school as a Green belt in 2001. He has been on the tournament team ever since – a total of 23 years so far.
On a competitive scale, Master Scheffler has won grand championships at numerous traditional and open tournaments. He is a 4x Naska World Champion in Sparring and has consistently been rated in the World Top 10 in Korean forms for over 10 Years.
CURRICULUM ADVANCEMENT TEAM
Master ROBERT LECLERC
Master ROBERT LECLERC
Master ROBERT LECLERC
Master Robert Leclerc Jr. began training in 1996. He earned his black belt in 2001 and is currently a 5th Dan.
He is a member of the Leclerc’s Martial Arts Senior Staff and operates the Rhinebeck and Kingston locations.
An avid fighter, Master Robert has won three World Champion Titles and 10 World Top Ten titles on the NASKA circuit, as well as numerous awards nationally and abroad.
master LAURA LECLERC
Master ROBERT LECLERC
Master ROBERT LECLERC
Master Laura Leclerc has been training in the martial arts for 26 years, but was a high-level competitive gymnast for 15 years and a Division II collegiate diver for two years prior. Currently a 5th Dan, she is a 10-time World Champion and Overall Grand Champion on the NASKA Circuit, winning titles in traditional forms, musical weapons an
Master Laura Leclerc has been training in the martial arts for 26 years, but was a high-level competitive gymnast for 15 years and a Division II collegiate diver for two years prior. Currently a 5th Dan, she is a 10-time World Champion and Overall Grand Champion on the NASKA Circuit, winning titles in traditional forms, musical weapons and fighting. She has won at traditional and sport karate tournaments nationally and globally.
She was recently inducted into the Amerikick Hall of Fame and the Diamond Nationals Hall of Fame.
Master Laura began coaching and choreographing at the age of 13 and currently serves as a CMX instructor and the coach of Team Leclerc’s NASKA 2x World Champion demo team, Team Blitz & Glitz.
master TYLER LECLERC
Master ROBERT LECLERC
master TYLER LECLERC
Master Tyler Leclerc began training in 2000 and earned his black belt in 2005. He is currently a 5th Dan.
Master Tyler operates Leclerc’s Martial Arts Arthursburg.
An avid fighter, he has won three NASKA World Championship titles and numerous World Top Ten titles for his efforts. He is also a fantastic traditional forms and weapons compe
Master Tyler Leclerc began training in 2000 and earned his black belt in 2005. He is currently a 5th Dan.
Master Tyler operates Leclerc’s Martial Arts Arthursburg.
An avid fighter, he has won three NASKA World Championship titles and numerous World Top Ten titles for his efforts. He is also a fantastic traditional forms and weapons competitor, having won numerous times in tournaments nationally and globally.
MEMBERSHIP LIAISON
MASTER NICHOLAS MARGERUM
Master Nicholas Margerum Started his training in 1996 and he earned his Black Belt in 2001. He has since achieved the rank of 6th Dan.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, he is a member of the senior staff and operates the Arlington location.
In addition to his instructional role, Master Margerum is a dedicated competitor. He has ea
Master Nicholas Margerum Started his training in 1996 and he earned his Black Belt in 2001. He has since achieved the rank of 6th Dan.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, he is a member of the senior staff and operates the Arlington location.
In addition to his instructional role, Master Margerum is a dedicated competitor. He has earned multiple NASKA World Championships titles and several Top Ten rankings. His Favorite weapons are Bo and Chucks.