John ("Johnny") Linebarger (4/7/54- ) is currently the director of KoSho Karate in Tucson, Arizona. He holds the rank of Shihan, as well as an 8th degree black belt in karate, an 8th degree black belt in Okinawan kobudo, and a 9th degree black belt in Tai-ho Jitsu. He is also an Assistant Chief Instructor of Shuri-ryu karate. He has won many national and world tournament championships, including the triple crown (first places in kata, kumite, and kobudo) at the USKA World Championships in Chicago, Illinois . That same year he became the only person inducted by unanimous decision into the Trias International Society. He has coached the USAKF national team, and was inducted into the USAKF Hall of Fame in 1997.
Shihan Linebarger began his karate training in 1972 with Kale Makaio in North Carolina. In 1980 he started his training with Robert Trias in Tucson, Arizona and currently serves on the International Shuri-ryu Association Council alongside Milt Calander (7th Dan), Joseph W. Walker (8th Dan), Tony Bisanz (7th Dan), and Sandra Bowles (8th Dan). Since 1983 he has been teaching in Tucson.
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