Soleiman Mehdizadeh
| Soleiman Mehdizadeh سلیمان مهدیزاده | |
|---|---|
 Performing Iaido Kata, May 2008. | |
| Born |
1955 Tehran, Iran |
| Residence |
Tehran, Iran  |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Style | Iaido, Kendo, Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido |
| Rank | Kyoshi, 8th Dan |
| Years active | 1976 – Present |
| Occupation | Martial arts instructor |
| Website | SHINBUKAN (神武館) Dojo |
Biography
Soleiman Mehdizadeh [1] (Japanese: ソレイマン・メヒディザデ, Persian: سلیمان مهدیزاده, Born 1955) is an Iranian master of Budō. He was born to a sports-loving family, his family having a long-standing reputation in martial sports such as boxing, wrestling, and traditional Iranian Pahlevani. Thus, Mehdizadeh followed in his father's footsteps when he himself took an interest in martial arts. He started boxing and soon became a champion in his teenage years. That was the start for him, and he then began to practice other styles of fighting.
Mehdizadeh studied Judo under the supervision of Malek Zadeh in Jhandarmery gym. Judo was the beginning of his encounter with Japanese martial arts. After a time, he added Taekwondo and Karate to his training. The Karate style was Kan Zen Ryu, under the supervision of Master Arab. Mehdizadeh studied Judo under the supervision of Malek Zadeh in Jhandarmery gym. Judo was the beginning of his encounter with Japanese martial arts. After a time, he added Taekwondo, Karate and Kung Fu Toa to his training. The Karate style was Kan Zen Ryu, under the supervision of Master Arab.
Mehdizadeh's training was in these martial arts until 1976, when he met Fukuda, which began a new phase in Mehdizadeh's life. Fukuda introduced Mehdizadeh to the practice of Kenjutsu with Zen, which was unknown at that time in Iran. Fukuda's teaching continued until 1977, when he told Mehdizadeh to go to Japan and continue to study there.
Therefore, Mehdizadeh traveled to Japan in 1977, to Tokyo, and started practicing Kendo. After a while he returned to Iran; but, again, in 1978, he went to Japan and in Nishiyama's Dojo practiced Kendo. He also learned Iaido from Totsuka and Goju-ryu Karate under Yamamoto.
Foundation History, Activity of Kendo & Iaido in Iran
The teaching of the traditional martial art of Kendo-Iaido in Iran was founded by Soleiman Mehdizadeh. In 1980, the International Martial Arts Federation started supervising Kendo & Iaido (Samurai). The formal training, which was under the control of Mehdizadeh, was in the Fencing Hall (Martial Arts Hall at the time). In the same year the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) prepared a film about the first samurai martial arts training class in Iran and then broadcast it on Jan. 6th 1983. Simultaneously Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) filmed a documentary showing martial arts exercises demonstrated by Mehdizadeh. Since Mehdizadeh had to stay in Japan for several months each year, for follow-up technical and specialty exercises, his masters advised him to reside in Japan, in order to pass higher level exams in Kendo-Iaido. Returning to Iran in 1994, Mehdizadeh recommenced training of students, under the supervision of the Karate Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with such success that on March 15, 1998 - through a formal statement issued by the Federation - Kendo-Iaido (Samurai), under the guidance of Mehdizadeh, was officially recognized and licensed.
Mehdizadeh is now the sole contact and coordinator for the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF), the official agent of the International Kendo Federation (FIK) in Iran, and the official agent of the Japan Iaido Federation (NIR) for Iran and the Middle East. Furthermore, he is the president of the Okinawa Goju-ryu Karatedo Association and Tomiki Ryu Aikido in Iran.
Honors and Awards
|
 Conferment of Order of the Rising Sun. Embassy of Japan in Iran, 25 Dec 2012. |
Ranks & Representations
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On Media
- Featured on NHK; First Martial Art Samurai Dojo in Iran.[6]
- Featured on PressTV; Martial Arts in Iran.[7]
- Featured on IRIB TV3; Razm va Namaa (Iaido & Kendo).[8]
- Featured on IRIB TV3; Razm va Namaa (Iaido & Kendo).[9]
- Featured on IRINN; Honarhaye Razmi (Iaido & Kendo).[10]
References
- ↑ Biography from : S.Mehdizadeh Official Facebook Page
- ↑ ソレイマン メヒディザデ, 1992年度; 日本居合道連盟全国大会 入賞者一覧
- ↑ ソレイマン メヒディザデ, 2002年度; 日本居合道連盟全国大会 入賞者一覧
- ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; 2012 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, p. 6.
- ↑ Overseas Representations International Karate Organization Goju-ryu karate
- ↑ NHK, Jan. 6th 1983; First Martial Art Samurai Dojo in Iran
- ↑ PressTV, Jan. 14th 2013; Martial Arts in Iran
- ↑ IRIB TV3, Mar. 2012; Razm va Namaa (Iaido & Kendo), ep.13
- ↑ IRIB TV3, Mar. 2013; Razm va Namaa (Iaido & Kendo), ep.7
- ↑ IRINN, Dec. 14th 2013; Honarhaye Razmi (Iaido & Kendo)