Sensei Leigh Thompson

Sensei Thompson has been training for 20 years and holds his Fourth Degree Black Belt in Budo Taijutsu and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He has been an Instructor at Tristar Martial Arts since it opened in 1996. He is the Chief Instructor at the Eldersburg dojo.

He has a degree in Outdoor Education and Exercise Science from Salisbury University where he started the SU Surf Club that is still active today. At age 16, he was the youngest person ever to be nominated by the U. S. Martial Arts Association for the Instructor of the Year award. The following year, at age 17, he won that prestigious award. He won a similar award in 2005, taking home the “Most Inspiring Instructor” award and won the award again in 2010.

Sensei Thompson has spoken on the local and state level to Educators in health, recreation, and physical education. He also spoke at the 2007 MAPHERD Convention on increasing value in the classroom. He has an outstanding knowledge of the martial arts and is a great leader. He possesses a phenomenal ability to build rapport with our students and their families and teaches all levels very effectively.