Derek Nakagawa

Derek Kazuo Nakagawa Sensei currently holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in aikido. He has been practicing martial arts for over 30 years. Nakagawa Sensei was a student of Fumio Toyoda Shihan until he passed away in 2001. In November of 2000 he opened Aikido of Rossmoor. He can be seen instructing at various seminars throughout the world.

In addition to aikido, Nakagawa Sensei is a shodan in iaido and a first degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Master Carlos Gracie, Jr. He has competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments. In 2007 he won a silver medal in the Pan Jiu Jitsu Championships and he won a bronze medal in the American National Jiu Jitsu Championships. In 2012 he won two gold medals at the Master and Senior World Championships. Most recently, Nakagawa sensei won two gold medals at the 2013 No Gi World Championships.