CAZA BJJ Instructors
YOSHI HASEGAWA
Yoshi was born in 1978 in Tokyo, Japan. He got his first taste of BJJ after moving to the US at the age of 23. It was during his time in the US that he trained under Beverly Hills instructor, Marcus Vinicius. He then went on to join the famous Carlson Gracie team and trained with one of the toughest BJJ practitioners – Rey Diogo.
Yoshi started travelling to Brazil when he was a white belt, and would continue to do so many times over the years whilst still training in the US.
After progressing all the way to his brown belt, Yoshi made the move to Brazil and trained under the Barbosa team. He stayed in Brazil for 18 months and it was here he was promoted to black belt.
Following a stint teaching BJJ and coaching a MMA fighter in Japan Yoshi came to Australia in 2012 to help spread the BJJ word in Noosa.
During his time instructing in Noosa, Yoshi has continued to be a part of the global BJJ family. A trip to the US in 2016 saw Yoshi finally receive a promotion to second degree black belt. In 2018 he received his third degree from Rey Diogo. Over the years Yoshi has spent time coaching ground skills to MMA fighters for fights in organisations such as Pancrace, Shooto, PXC, UFC etc. See Yoshi's lineage here.
Belt: 4th Degree Black Belt
Gym: Noosa
ANDREW BAILEY
Andrew is a long-time student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who was made black belt under the de Been academy. In affiliating his own school with CAZA BJJ, Andrew becomes the first professor to partner with Yoshi Hasegawa under the CAZA name.
In addition to being a traditional BJJ instructor, Andrew also has a lot of experience in adapting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for MMA fighters.
Professor Bailey coaches his juniors team with the same enthusiasm that he shows for the competitive adult members of his academy.
Belt: 3rd Degree Black Belt
Gym: Caloundra
CHEYNE DOUGLAS
Cheyne Douglas began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under CAZA head instructor, Yoshi Hasegawa, back in 2011. Over the years he has seized the opportunity to travel to Japan, USA and Thailand to gain experience, training with world-renowned coaches and competitors.
Cheyne has always been a keen competitor winning many local, interstate and overseas competitions.
At present, Cheyne is the head coach and one of the owners at the CAZA Hinterland gym in Cooroy.
Belt: 1st Degree Black Belt
Gym: Cooroy
COURTNEY HASEGAWA
Courtney joined the CAZA team after arriving in Noosa from Sydney. She has a broad range of BJJ experience having trained with prestigious teams as she moved around the world. While on her way to becoming a black belt in Japan she also became fluent in the Japanese language.
Courtney is coaching our very popular women's only classes at our Noosa Heads gym.
Belt: 1st Degree Black Belt
Gym: Noosa
MICHAEL PEDERSEN
Michael is an assistant coach at CAZA BJJ in Caloundra under head coach Andrew Bailey. Michael was recently promoted to his black belt 1st degree.
As a long term practitioner who has trained at several gyms, Michael has a wealth of experience to share with his students.
Michael is the go-to coach at our Caloundra gym that steps in when head coach Bailey is unable to take a class.
Belt: 1st Degree Black Belt
Gym: Caloundra
Sam Morrison
Big Sam has come up through the ranks at CAZA under Yoshi. He has been our kids coach for some time now, but he also teaches some of our adult classes. Being able to speak fluent Japanese, Sam is our translator when Yoshi brings fighters out from Japan for Seminars.
You will see Sam at all of the competitions that the CAZA team attends, both as a competitor and as a coach.
Sam is already a Judo black belt which is a great advantage when teaching take-downs for BJJ.
Belt: Brown Belt
Gym: Noosa
Mirza Mahic
Originally from Melbourne, Mirza moved to Queensland and continued his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with CAZA under head coach Yoshi Hasegawa at our Noosa headquarters. Being such a positive and enthusiastic student, he quickly become popular amongst our members.
Mirza is now our head coach and owner at the CAZA gym at Agnes Water.
Belt: Purple Belt
Gym: Agnes Water
Toby Parsons
Toby is one of our kids coaches who works with Sam each afternoon and at our school holiday BJJ camps.
Toby is already a seasoned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor in both gi and no gi who takes on as many tournaments as possible each year. He also coaches our kids while at competitions, leading them by example.
You probably won't meet anyone more genuinely interested in BJJ than Toby. You will often see him trying new and interesting techniques while sparring with the rest of our team.
Belt: Purple Belt
Gym: Noosa