Erik Louw, 6th Dan Aikikai and Menkyo katori shinto ryu is the technical consultant of the United Αikido Dojos.

He is in charge of the black belt examinations and he supervising the evolution/development and promotion plan of the organisation, together with the technical committee.

Erik Louw Sensei was born in 1956 and has studied various martial arts, particularly Aikido and katori shinto ryu. Because of his involvement with the martial arts, for approximately 50 years, he was decorated as Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau), an award for his efforts to promote martial arts in the Netherlands.

Below, are some of his most prominent milestones so far:

• 2013 – received the special award “Amsterdamse pluim” for the integration of people with disabilities in Aikido.
• 2010 – decorated as Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Ridder in de orde van Oranje Nassau) for introducing martial arts in the Netherlands
• 2012 – received the rank of “Menkyo master” in katori shinto ryu at the Otake Dojo
• 2006 – received the rank of “Mokuroku” in katori shinto ryu
• 2006 – received the rank “Shidosha” (permission to teach katori shinto ryu in the Netherlands) at the Otake Dojo
• 2005 – took the keppan oath in katori shinto ryu at the Otake dojo
• 1999 – received the 6^th Dan in Aikido at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo
• 1999 – received the 5^th Dan in katori shinto ryu at Sugino Dojo
• 1984 – started training in katori shinto ryu at Sugino Dojo
• 1975 – started training in Aikido in the Netherlands
• 1972 – started training in kendo, received the rank of ShoDan in 1978
• 1970 – started training in shaolin kempo, received the 1^st kyu in 1975
• 1967 – started training in kyokoshinkai karate
• 1967 – started training in judo