Nishime Martial Arts

One of the most rewarding parts of martial arts is watching a student grow into someone who can mentor the next generation.

Sensei Drew started training with us at our old Bright location when he was just 7 years old. He was a young karate student learning from the instructors who were helping shape his martial arts journey.

Years later, he’s now the Head Instructor at our Florence dojo.

And this is one of the things that makes that journey so special.

Sensei Drew is now the one standing beside a young student, helping him learn, working through a technique with him, encouraging him when something doesn’t come easily, and sharing what he has learned through all those years on the mat.

He knows what it’s like to be that kid.

He remembers what it felt like to have an instructor take the time to teach him, correct him, encourage him, and believe in him.

Now he gets to be that instructor for someone else.

There’s something pretty special about watching a 7-year-old student grow up, stay with his martial arts journey, and eventually become the person helping another young student find his way.

The tradition that Sensei Drew grew up learning is now something he gets to share with his own students.

One dojo. Something for everyone in the family. 🥋

At Nishime Martial Arts, your child can start with martial arts at age 4 and continue developing their skills as they grow. And martial arts isn't just for kids—Nishime offers Kids Karate, Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Adult Karate, and Adult BJJ, so there are training options for every stage of life.

Whether your goal is building confidence, learning self-defense, getting in shape, competing, or simply finding something you enjoy, there’s a place for you at Nishime.

One dojo. A lifetime of options.

📍 Cincinnati & Florence, KY
📞 513-353-5425 or 859-331-5425
🥋 Try it FREE for one week.

At first, rolling can feel a little overwhelming.

You’re tired. Your opponent is moving. You’re trying to remember what you just learned—and suddenly you're fighting for a position you didn't even know existed five minutes ago.

But then something happens.

You start getting better.

You survive a little longer.
You escape a position that used to stop you.
You recognize an opportunity.
You pull off something you couldn't do last month.

And eventually, you realize you're not just exercising.

You're learning what your body is capable of.

That's what makes adult BJJ so rewarding. Every class gives you a new challenge, and every round gives you a chance to improve.

No matter your age or experience level, you can start where you are and build from there.

Ready to give adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a try?

Train with us at Nishime Martial Arts in Cincinnati.

Try your first week FREE.

Some photographs tell a story. Others carry a piece of history.

This photograph was taken in Naha, Okinawa, in 1997, during what would become Soke Seigi Nakamura's final karate class.

Nakamura had been ill for some time and could barely walk. When his longtime students, Hanshi Nishime and Hanshi Oshiro, returned to Okinawa from the United States, he asked them to meet him at the dojo and bring a few of their students.

Even in poor health, Nakamura wanted to teach.

And when he saw a new generation of students in front of him, his excitement was unmistakable.

Sadly, this would be the last class he taught. Soke Seigi Nakamura passed away soon afterward.

For martial artists, a teacher's legacy isn't simply preserved in photographs, certificates, or trophies. It lives in the people they taught—and in the knowledge those students carry forward.

This is one of those moments in Okinawan karate history that deserves to be remembered.

🥋 What a day for our Nishime Martial Arts junior BJJ competitors!

A huge congratulations to our young athletes from the Florence dojo who competed at the Cincinnati FUJI BJJ competition! Every one of these kids stepped onto the mat, challenged themselves, and put their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training to work.

Competition is about more than winning medals. It teaches kids how to stay composed under pressure, work through challenges, respect their opponents, and keep going when things get difficult. Those lessons extend far beyond the BJJ mat.

We’re incredibly proud of the effort, courage, and sportsmanship our junior competitors showed. 🏆

Congratulations, team!

📍 Nishime Martial Arts — Florence, KY
🥋 Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Youth BJJ
📞 859-331-5425
👉 Try BJJ FREE for one week!

Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is about more than learning techniques. It teaches children to watch, think, adjust, and respond.

During BJJ training, kids have to pay attention to what their partner is doing and make decisions in real time. They learn that the answer isn't always the same—and that sometimes they need to adjust their approach to solve the problem.

That's one of the things we love about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids: they're developing physical skills while also learning to think while they move.

Nishime Martial Arts offers Kids BJJ in Cincinnati and Florence, Kentucky, in a structured, supportive environment where children can learn, practice, and grow.

🥋 Try a FREE week of classes.

📍 Cincinnati & Florence, KY
📞 Cincinnati: 513-353-5425
📞 Florence: 859-331-5425