I started Judo in 1991 while a senior in college. Quite accidentally and on a dare, I joined a Judo club in my hometown of Tehran and started practicing Judo under the instruction of Sensei Moradi and Sensei Keshvarian (both Shichidan and international champions). I was amazed by their vast knowledge of Judo, their true champion yet very humble characters, and stayed with Sensei Moradi until early 2000 when I earned my black belt (Shodan). In the United States and after joining the US Navy, multiple operational deployments did not allow for continuous training, however, I tried to train anytime that I was not deployed. I practiced at multiple Dojos, including Tohkon Judo Academy (Sensei Doug Tono) in Chicago, Baltimore Judo Club (Sensei John Anderson) in Maryland, and Norfolk School of Judo (Sensei Spruiell) in Virginia.

After I left active duty I was searching for a Judo club in Maryland. That was when I remembered my first encounter with Sensei Kevin Tamai, during the award ceremony in Maryland State Championships in 2002 when he presented my trophy. That was enough for me to look him (and Hui O Judo club) up on the Internet.I have been with Hui O Judo Club since 2015 and while I have been fortunate to get to know a lot of Judokas and practice in quite a few dojos, I have never seen a family so passionate about Judo as the Tamai family is.

Personally, I see beautiful harmony in practice of Judo both inside our dojo, when various techniques are beautifully executed, and outside when principles of Judo are applied to our daily lives. I also enjoy the competitive spirit of Judo as an Olympic sport.

In my Judo career I have won a few State and National championships including Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina State championships in the US. Most recently in 2017, I became National champion (veterans category) in my age and weight division. My favorite technique is Ippon Seoi Nage.

I am an extreme sport enthusiast and an avid skydiver. I enjoy competing in a skydiving discipline known as formation skydiving when a team of skydivers attempt to make certain formations during the free fall.