Team Leclerc

Team Leclerc was an elite, internationally recognized martial arts team comprised of more than 75 athletes who competed annually across the United States and on the global stage under the leadership of Robert P. Leclerc, Sr. Team members ranged in age from 6 to 65 and collectively earned more than 400 national titles and over 250 international titles. Each year, athletes traveled to more than 30 tournaments, proudly representing the Hudson Valley and Wales, UK with confidence, professionalism, and excellence.

The depth of talent within Team Leclerc was exceptional. Athletes were trained across all competitive divisions—fighting, forms, and weapons—and consistently performed at the highest levels of the sport. Through disciplined coaching and a commitment to athlete development, Team Leclerc earned its reputation as one of the strongest and most accomplished tournament teams in the world.

In its most recent years, approximately 30 athletes comprised the top competitive tier of Team Leclerc, competing annually on the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) circuit. NASKA is widely regarded as the premier sanctioning body in open tournament sport karate, hosting the most prestigious events in North America and providing the world’s top athletes a platform to showcase elite-level competition.

Team Leclerc consistently finished at or near the top of the NASKA circuit, producing countless World Champion and Grand Champion titleholders. Many within the sport noted that Team Leclerc was unique in that its success came from athletes training exclusively out of the same school—rather than “pickup” athletes assembled from multiple programs across countries—while still achieving dominance across all divisions.

A snapshot from the 2023 season highlights the team’s extraordinary accomplishments. That year, Team Leclerc athletes—all from the Hudson Valley—earned:

·  4 Overall World Grand Champion Titles

·  25 World Champion Titles

·  72 World Top Ten Finishes

These results included individual titles across fighting, forms, and weapons divisions, as well as team honors such as:

·  World Champion Title – Demonstration Team

·  World Champion Title – Boys’ Youth Team Fighting

·  World Champion Title – Girls’ Youth Team Fighting

One of the most distinctive and celebrated elements of Team Leclerc was its all-female demonstration team, composed of girls and women ranging in age from 8 to 40. As the only all-female demo team competing on the premier sport karate circuit, their dynamic and high-energy performances captivated audiences nationally and internationally. Known for their athleticism, confidence, and powerful stage presence, the demo team was dedicated to empowering girls and women in martial arts and inspiring a new generation to challenge stereotypes and redefine excellence in the sport.

Team Leclerc was also defined by its diversity. Athletes came from a wide range of backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances, with many making significant personal sacrifices to compete at the highest level due to the financial demands of travel and competition. Robert P. Leclerc Sr. and Laura Leclerc personally sponsored more than 15 athletes at each event annually, covering tournament fees, travel, lodging, equipment, and other essential competition expenses to ensure opportunity was not limited by financial means.

Laura Leclerc, Robert’s wife, served as a volunteer coach for the all-female demonstration team and for athletes competing in creative, musical, and extreme forms and weapons divisions. Both Robert P. Leclerc, Sr. and Laura Leclerc are multiple-time world champions, collectively earning more than 20 world titles during their own competitive careers, along with numerous Grand Champion honors worldwide. They have both been inducted in multiple Hall of Fame’s for their competitive efforts and coaching leadership.

The success of Team Leclerc was rooted not only in elite leadership, but also in the dedication of its staff and the relentless work ethic of its athletes. Team members trained with discipline, humility, and respect, guided by a shared belief that excellence was achieved together. A mantra often repeated at tournament practices captured the heart of the team culture: “When one wins, we all win.” It was this collective spirit that pushed every athlete to rise higher—and that defined Team Leclerc’s lasting legacy.