Hooman Tavakolian


Hooman Tavakolian is an Iranian-American former wrestler, wrestling coach, sports diplomat and a member of United World Wrestling. Tavakolian has been nominated for the “Diplomatic Action of the Year” award for his efforts to bring together the Islamic Republic of Iran Wrestling Federation and the USA Wrestling Federation through the 2017 Wrestling World Cup according to the Peace and Sport Federation. he was the leader of USA Wrestling team in this Wrestling world cup.He is a 2017 National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum inductee. he also is Chief Compliance Officer at Cyrus Capital Partners and Vice President of the New York Athletic Club Wrestling Club.

Early life

Hooman Tavakolian was born September 17, 1976 in Tehran, Iran. At the age of nine, Tavakolian, his parents and younger brother immigrated to Great Neck Long Island, N.Y. during the height of the Iran-Iraq war. It was around this time Tavakolian started his wrestling career.

Career

Tavakolian started his wrestling career on 1986. he wrestled at the NCAA Division 1 level for Long Island's Hofstra University, and later, New York City's Hunter College. At Hunter, he wrestled in three weight classes. In his senior year, he became team captain under coach Bob Gaudenzi. Following graduation from Hunter College in 1999 with a degree in Psychology, he retired from competitive wrestling. Tavakolian still found time to serve as Hunter's Assistant Coach for two seasons.

Charity Works

In 2011, he founded the “Become Your Own Dream” scholarship with wife Lorelei Martin and former Hunter College wrestler and mentor, Jon Tush. Each year the New York City scholarship provides $2500.00 to a local graduating high school senior, who plans to wrestle in college. Tavakolian decided to partner his fund with the long-standing youth development program, Beat the Streets New York City, in 2012.
He also has purchased mats and sport facilities for Iranian people in wrestling.
On September 5 ISIS attacked the Maiwand Wrestling Club located in Kabul Afghanistan. Tavakolian launched a campaign to collects funds and repair and rebuild the club. Following the launch of this big campaign, wrestling fans around the world and some prominent champions such as Jordan Burroughs joined the campaign, and soon after their donations including wrestling equipment reached Kabul.
In 2019, he also founded Hoomanties Inc, a not for profit organization to encourage global community, to empower adolescent youth around the world and to reinstate hope in humanity through sports, increase public awareness and invest in children which are the future.