Aikido Derby Club,

We are a small, friendly club based in Derby city center.

Class time:

Sunday 18:00-20:00

Jason Hunt, 3rd Dan, Aikikai

I began studying Aikido in 1998, under the supervision of Chris macDonald Sensei 6dan AUE, and initially received my Instructor's Certificate through WAKO in 2006, which is when I opened my club, USAGIGOYA AIKIDO DOJO, in Mickleover, Derby. The Dojo is now based in the City Centre of Derby, under the name of Aikido Derby (Aikikai). In 2007 I had the chance to visit Japan, and during this time was able to train alongside other Aikidoka in the Meiji Jingu Budojo Shiseikan, in classes taught by Tanaka Shigeho Meiyokancho, Inaba Minoru Kancho and Tao Norio Shihan. During the trip to Japan, an invitation was given for our group to visit the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, where we were allowed to watch a class on the upper floor, followed by a private talk with Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu, the current leader of the Aikikai (and the grandson of the founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei O SENSEI).

During recent years I have visited Japan on several occassions, and have been working on creating links with NARA AIKIKAI, who are under the direct supervision of Kubota Ikuhiro Sensei, 8dan Aikikai Shihan. I will be looking to continue to strengthen these links with further visits to Nara in the future. I took my Shodan Aikikai (1dan) grading in July 2012, under the supervision of Peter Brown Sensei I took my Nidan Aikikai (2dan) grading in October 2017, under the supervision of Kubota Ikuhiro Shihan I received my Level 1 Coaching Certificate in July 2012, from the BAB I received my Level 2 Coaching Certificate in July 2017. From the JAC I recieved my Sandan (3dan) in November 2022, under the supervision of Kubota Ikuhiro Shihan