Hanshi Jeff Leistner, President

Jeff Leistner began studying karate in Greenville, Ohio in 1974 at the age of 21 under the watchful eye of Hanshi Jack McPeek and Hanshi Frank Grant. Jeff opened his dojo in Troy, Ohio and has been serving this community since 1982. In his years of Matsubayashi-Ryu study, he has had the opportunity to train with the best leaders of our style, Hanshi Frank Grant and Hanshi Jack McPeek. Jeff also had the opportunity to train with Grand Master Nagamine and Master Takayoshi Nagamine many times. In 1991, Jeff was promoted by the Grand Master to Go Dan at his dojo in Naha, Okinawa. Over the years, Jeff has held several positions on the Board of Directors of the WSKF and in 2004 was elected President. During the WSKF Internationals in Florida in July, 2016, Hanshi Leistner was promoted to Ku-Dan. His favorite kata is Kusanku.