From Iran to Australia: The Story behind Mozhdeh Martial Arts
Before Mozhdeh Martial Arts opened its doors in Melbourne in 2017, its foundations had already been built over decades; inside a family home in Iran, on international competition mats, and through Master Arash Mozhdeh’s experience representing two countries at the highest levels of Taekwondo.
Today, the club welcomes students from four years of age through to their seventies. Some train for confidence, fitness and self-defence. Others pursue black belts, national titles and international competition. What connects them is a club shaped by genuine experience, strong values and coaches who understand what it takes to progress at every stage.
Born Into Taekwondo
Arash was born into a Taekwondo family. His father and all four of his siblings hold black belts, and from the age of three, he watched them train and compete in Iran. Before ever joining a formal club, Arash began learning at home under the guidance of his father and older brother, Noori.
At nine years old, having trained only with his family, Arash entered his first state championship and won gold. He went on to win multiple state titles and place fifth at a national level in Iran, an early indication of what was possible.
At 11, Arash joined a local Taekwondo club and entered a more structured training environment. It was here that his focus expanded beyond natural ability. He began developing the technical foundations, discipline and mindset required to compete at an elite level.
He also came to understand that Taekwondo was about far more than fighting. Respect, perseverance, composure and character became as important as physical skill, values that would later shape the culture of Mozhdeh Martial Arts.
From Iran’s National Team to Australia
By 16, Arash had been selected for Iran’s National Team, an extraordinary achievement in a country recognised as one of the strongest Taekwondo nations in the world. He competed in Iran’s Super League as a junior and, by 17, was representing Iran
internationally.
In 2012, Arash faced a defining decision. He had been selected to represent Iran at the Asian Championships in Vietnam when he was also offered the opportunity to move to Australia and study Sports Science. He chose to continue his education and began a new chapter in Melbourne.
While studying at Victoria University, Arash continued building his competitive career. In 2013, he joined the Australian National Team and began representing Australia nationally and internationally. During this period, he balanced university, professional competition and part-time coaching, often while managing much of his own training and preparation.
His path was not always straightforward. He navigated visa constraints, coached himself through significant stages of his career and balanced the demands of being a professional athlete with his growing commitment to developing others. His Rio 2016 Olympic campaign was ultimately cut short when visa restrictions prevented him from attending the Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Those challenges became part of the experience Arash now brings to his students. He understands the work that happens behind every result, the setbacks athletes can encounter and the importance of having a coach who will guide, support and advocate for them throughout the journey.
A Career Built at the Highest Level
Across his competitive career, Arash established himself as one of Australia’s most accomplished Taekwondo athletes. He became a 10-time Australian National Champion and represented Australia at four consecutive World Championships. He won multiple Oceania Championship gold medals across different weight divisions, medalled at World Taekwondo President’s Cups and achieved podium finishes at major G1, G2 and G4 ranking events throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Central America and South America.
Arash also recorded victories over Olympic and World Champions, including athletes ranked world No. 1. His career reflects years of consistency, resilience and the ability to perform against some of the best athletes in the world.
The Beginning of Mozhdeh Martial Arts
In 2017, Arash founded Mozhdeh Martial Arts to bring a different standard of Taekwondo coaching to Melbourne, one grounded in strong fundamentals, discipline, respect and the high-performance mindset developed through the Iranian Taekwondo system.
The goal was never to create a club only for elite athletes. It was to build a place where every student could receive experienced coaching, be taken seriously and have a clear pathway forward, whether they were stepping onto the mat for the first time or preparing to represent Australia.
Since then, Mozhdeh Martial Arts has produced multiple Australian National Team athletes, with competitors reaching world rankings as high as No. 5. The club has also helped students develop confidence, discipline, resilience and leadership skills that extend well beyond Taekwondo.
Several of the club’s coaches began as Mozhdeh Martial Arts students themselves. They have grown up within the club, competed at state, national and international levels, represented Australia and returned to help develop the students coming behind them. This creates a coaching environment shaped by people who have stood in their students’ shoes and understand the journey firsthand.
A Family Legacy Across Generations
Taekwondo remains deeply connected to the Mozhdeh family.
Arash’s older brother Noori, the person who first inspired him to begin Taekwondo, holds a fourth-dan black belt. His sister Shahnaz is an international referee for World Taekwondo, while his sister Behnaz, who coaches alongside Arash, has been recognised as Best Female Coach in Iran.
Within the Melbourne club, two of Arash’s siblings now coach alongside him. His niece and nephew are also developing through the Mozhdeh Martial Arts Olympic Taekwondo pathway, continuing the family’s connection to the sport into another generation.
Arash also helped support his brother Eisa in establishing a second Mozhdeh Martial Arts location in New Zealand, building on the systems and culture first developed in Melbourne. Eisa went on to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Taekwondo.
This depth of experience means students are not learning from coaches who simply understand Taekwondo in theory. They are being guided by a family of athletes, coaches and referees who have experienced the sport from almost every perspective.
The Club Today
Arash has now retired from professional competition, although he continues to train and develop his knowledge across multiple martial arts. His focus is on developing students at every level, from complete beginners and recreational members to Australian National Team representatives and international competitors.
In 2025, Arash was selected as an Australian National Team Coach, reflecting his continued contribution to elite athlete development in Australia.
Today, Mozhdeh Martial Arts offers pathways for young children, juniors, teenagers and adults, as well as competition athletes and students requiring more adaptive or individualised coaching. Members can train for fitness, confidence, self-defence, traditional Taekwondo, black belt development or high-performance competition.
Beyond the medals and titles, the club has built a genuine community. Hikes, social events, team activities and fundraising initiatives bring members and families together outside regular training. Parents become part of the club, teammates support one another at competitions, and students grow into mentors and leaders for the next generation.
The club is proud of its competitive achievements, but success is not measured by medals alone. It is also the child who speaks with greater confidence, the adult who discovers what they are capable of, the student who refuses to give up and every member who walks out the door smiling, stronger than when they arrived.
That is the legacy behind Mozhdeh Martial Arts, and the standard the club continues to carry forward.
Become Part of Our Story
Whether you are looking for your child’s first activity, a new way to challenge yourself, experienced martial arts coaching or a pathway into competition, there is a place for you at Mozhdeh Martial Arts.
Book a free trial and experience the club, the coaching and the community for yourself.
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