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Junior Team |
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Your friends at IMAC, USA welcome everyone who will be joining us for the 2nd Annual Martial Arts Olympics East-West Open. We look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you in April 2008; and, wish you the best of success at the East-West Open. In addition to organizing a once-in-lifetime trip for the competitors and spectators, IMAC USA was challenged to select a team to compete in the Olympic 'Battle of the Continents' which will feature fighting teams representing Asia, Europe, North America; and, the host country Russia. As a result, IMAC's scouting team set-out on a nationwide search to find the most outstanding American martial artists. With so much exceptional talent here in the United States, this mission proved to be demanding, but also extremely rewarding. We'd like to share with you a few great stories; and, martial artists we've had the pleasure to meet along the way. Athletes, that you can call teammates. Together, we will show the world the talent, heart and soul that America has to offer. In addition, we?d like to introduce to you the United States team.
Hamed Firouzi – 4th degree black belt in National Karate.
Hamed Firouzi was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota; an only child until the age of 12, he descends from parents of Persian and Scandinavian ancestry. Hamed described himself as a ‘child with lots of energy’ who was introduced to the martial arts at the age of 5 by his father who always had a fascination for the art. Now, 18 years later, it’s clear that martial arts are so deeply engrained it would be hard to separate the art from the man. At the age of 23, Hamed Firouzi is now the head instructor and manager of the National Karate School in Hopkins Minnesota.
National Karate was founded by John Worley who later partnered with Larry Carnahan. The National Karate system evolved from Jhoon Rhee which is nearly identical in technique and philosophy but with a unique set of curriculum and forms. Jhoon Rhee, also known as the father of American Tae Kwon Do, modernized several aspects of the ancient Korean Art (most notably the side kick and reverse punch) by adapting techniques from his own unique style into what was considered a ground breaking martial arts system. Many of those concepts are still widely practiced around the world today.
Being a young man who was often considered ‘the smallest’ or ‘the underdog’, Hamed appreciates life’s harsh realities and what it takes to overcome or transcend them. Consequently, he developed an understanding that you have to work hard for what want. He’s learned to become a smarter fighter, adapting his style to best fit the situation or opponent. In addition, he realizes the importance of being patient so that he could capitalize on an opponent’s mistake rather than rush in to make his own. His maxim is Train hard, and often. Train smart and like you compete; and, the more you put in, the more you will get out. “A great martial artist is a well rounded, self-confident individual who has a great sense of self and their surroundings, with a sharp mental focus and superb body control and balance.” Hamed says. “They should be able to handle themselves in pressure situations calmly, and above all be humble and able to hold themselves in high standards as citizens within society, always caring for those around them”.
An active tournament competitor, Hamed has competed all over the country and has achieved many awards. The North Central Karate Association rated him 1st in weapons in 1998, 1999 and 2006; and, 1st in fighting in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2006 he was nationally ranked #2 in the Black Belt super lightweight division by NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association). He has won seven national team championships, as well as six individual lightweight Grand Championships. In May, 2007 he won the lightweight Super Fight Championship in Boston; and, won the overall Super Fight title in the Battle of Atlanta and also at the Diamond Nationals. He has won 13 State Grand Championships as a youth and an adult competitor.
Known for being a super lightweight capable of beating heavyweights, Hamed has been clutch at the anchor position for 3 different National teams. He is currently a member of Team Wasuru, serving alongside USA teammate Ross Levine. Spectators often comment on his speed and movement. However, if you ask Hamed he believes his best asset is being a smart fighter. At a youthful 23 years of age, Mr. Firouzi is on the rise and coming-off his most successful season to date. A humble individual, Hamed doesn’t talk-up his accomplishments or abilities but he did share with us that he is a very competitive person. He says he doesn’t like to take life too seriously and enjoys a good laugh. He describes himself as a confident and easy-going person who focuses on the positive; and, takes pleasure in making others feel good about themselves. As a full-time instructor he constantly reminds himself and those he teaches that it is essential to be humble; and, understand that you are always learning and improving, until the day you die. His best advice to others is “always try your best, stay with it, and don’t limit yourself or sell yourself short...better to aim high and miss than to aim low and get a direct hit”.
IMAC, USA was intrigued by this athlete who seemed wise beyond his years. How does a 23-year old have such depth of character? How has this young tenderfoot developed such mature convictions and principles? How did this neophyte establish a credence that often only ripens with age and experience? His goal is to possibly revolutionize the art which he declares is a tall order but indicates that he doesn’t want to limit himself or the possibilities ahead. To this Hamed, IMAC USA would like to share this message with you: Be the change you want to see in the world (Mahatma Gandhi)
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