Taekwondo maestro- Ali Rahimi instructs taekwondo after fleeing Afghanistan. 59820Picture: Kim Cartmell

By Emma Sun
IF ONE thing is for certain in Ali Rahimi’s life, it is his love for Taekwondo.
After all, he fled from war-torn Afghanistan to Australia 10 years ago to further his quest to teach and judge the martial art.
The Cranbourne man, who owns a dojang in Hampton Park, has been practising Taekwondo for more than 25 years, and it was because of this that he had to leave his country.
“Back then, the Taliban regime was still in power and they destroyed everything in Afghanistan,” Mr Rahimi said.
“I was a sports teacher, working with one of their political parties. If I continued teaching Taekwondo, the Taliban would’ve caught me and if they caught me they would’ve killed me.”
Coming to Australia was a spontaneous thing for Mr Rahimi, who spoke to many people that told him Australia was a great country.
“It just happened I came here, which was very good,” he said.
“Australia is one of the best countries in the world. I’m glad I came.”
The transition was quite difficult for him, as he was unable to speak one word of English. However, he was determined to settle in and did what he could to adapt.
His opportunity cameduring teaching Taekwondo at Dandenong Oasis.
“Of course, we have an international Taekwondo language, but when you want to explain to your students you need to know the language,” he said.
“I couldn’t explain the technique, the punching and the kicking, all the stuff we learn in Taekwondo. Sometimes, I had to ask my students the name of the technique in English and I had very great students, they helped me a lot.
“I tried to learn English, talking to everyone, to my students, I went to learn English and that makes my job easier.”
Mr Rahimi got his international refereeing qualification in 2007 and now judges and referees all around Australia and on a global scale.
He started up his own dojang, the World Taekwondo Centre, a year later and runs it as 5th Dan head instructor. He has never looked back since.
He started his gym in Hampton Park and runs kids and adult classes every weekday from 4pm-8pm. He has around 50 to 55 students.