About Hamed Konarivand
Biography
Hamed Konarivand (born April 15, 1987, in Ilam, Iran) is a Kurdish Iranian entrepreneur, professional Taekwondo coach, and former national team athlete. Standing 193 cm tall and weighing 96 kg, he discovered his passion for Taekwondo at age six and earned a black belt by age nine. By eight, he was already competing—and winning—in national championships, eventually distinguishing himself as one of the few Iranian fighters to claim titles across every age category, from cadet to adult. Between 2005 and 2011, Hamed represented Iran’s premier Taekwondo clubs (Saipa and Azad University), securing multiple league championships and competing in the prestigious Asian Clubs Cup. Notably, he led the Azad University team to triumph at the Serbian Open (2007) and won gold at the British Open (2008), where he was named the Best Player in the Heavyweight Division. He later earned another gold medal at the Indian Open Cup (2010).
Born into a highly athletic family, Hamed grew up in gyms and under the mentorship of top coaches, all while cultivating a parallel passion for science. He pursued higher education at Azad University, South Tehran Campus, earning his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering & Process Design. In 2017, Hamed and his wife, Afarin Djavanrouh, moved to France, where they launched the Koryo Taekwondo Club. Now spanning six branches in France and Switzerland, Koryo is the largest Taekwondo chain in Switzerland.
Driven by a commitment to innovative coaching, Hamed recognized a gap in martial arts programs for children under seven. In 2019, he introduced Taekfundo, a specialized early-childhood curriculum blending Taekwondo fundamentals with playful skill-building and character development. This method—registered and practiced internationally—has been lauded for its creative approach and is now taught in France, Switzerland, and in clubs across the USA and Iran. In 2020, Hamed was appointed national coach of Romandy (French-speaking Switzerland) by the Swiss Taekwondo Federation.
As a coach, Hamed has also made his mark in elite educational settings. He currently works as a Taekwondo coach at some of Switzerland’s most prestigious private schools, including Ecolint (International School of Geneva) and École Découverte, where his students consistently excel in skill development and competitive success.
Beyond his coaching, Hamed is recognized as a leading Taekwondo analyst and has been regularly invited to appear on Iran International TV, the most prominent Iranian news channel globally. Leveraging his expertise as a former member of the Iranian National Team, Hamed provides in-depth commentary on international Taekwondo events, including the World Championships and Olympic Games.
Outside the dojang, Hamed channels his entrepreneurial spirit into Safranée Foods Group, founded in 2021 to bring premium saffron-based products to European markets. With frequent features in Iranian and international media, he remains dedicated to sharing his expertise with the next generation of athletes and innovators. Hamed lives in France with his wife and two children, Kamyar and Karin, continuing to expand his global influence in both martial arts and business.
Achievements
National Achievements
- 1995: National Championships of Iran – Under Age 8 (Silver Medal)
- 2000: National Championships of Iran – Under Age 12 (Silver Medal)
- 2001: National Championships of Iran – Junior Category, Under Age 14 (Silver Medal)
- 2003: National Championships of Iran – Junior Category, Under Age 17 (Gold Medal)
- 2006: Iran First Division League – Saipa Team (Gold Medal)
- 2007: Iran First Division League – Azad University Team (Gold Medal)
- 2007: Premier League of Iran – Azad University Team (Gold Medal)
- 2008: Premier League of Iran – Azad University Team (Gold Medal)
- 2008: Second Sports Olympiad – Senior Category, Under Age 21 (Bronze Medal)
- 2009: Iran National Championships – Adult Category (Silver Medal)
International Achievements
- 2007: First Asian Club Championships (Bronze Medal)
- 2007: Serbia Open (Bronze Medal)
- 2008: British Open (Gold Medal) – Best Player in Heavyweight Division
- 2008: 20th International Fajr Championships (Bronze Medal)
- 2009: 21st International Fajr Championships (Participant)
- 2010: Indian Open (Gold Medal)
Coaching Achievements
2018
Held Taekwondo Seminars in Lausanne
Conducted Taekwondo Seminars in Various Companies Across Switzerland
Swiss Championship – Awarded 2 Gold Medals
Schaffhausen Open Championship – 1 Gold Medal, 1 Silver Medal
2019
Luxembourg Open G1
Greece Open G1
German Open G2 – 1 Gold Medal, 1 Silver Medal
Lebanon Open G1
2020
Created Taekfundo Education System
Developed and implemented an innovative early-childhood Taekwondo curriculum focusing on playful skill-building and character development
Taekfundo is now registered and practiced internationally in France, Switzerland, the USA, and Iran
2021-Present
Organized Koryo Competition Cup Annually
Established and managed the Koryo Competition Cup each year since 2021
Fostered competitive spirit and skill development among participants
2023
Created MyTaek, a Professional Online Taekwondo Platform
Launched an online platform providing comprehensive Taekwondo training resources, virtual classes, and community engagement for practitioners worldwide
MyTaek aims to make high-quality Taekwondo education accessible globally, leveraging digital tools to reach a broader audience
2024
Participated in Mastering Course by Kukkiwon in Chicago, USA
Successfully completed the course and obtained certification, enhancing coaching expertise and international credentials
Created MyTaek, a Professional Online Taekwondo Platform
Launched an online platform providing comprehensive Taekwondo training resources, virtual classes, and community engagement for practitioners worldwide
MyTaek aims to make high-quality Taekwondo education accessible globally, leveraging digital tools to reach a broader audience
Teaching Roles (2018-Present)
Ecolint (International School of Geneva)
- Koryo Clubs
École Découverte
École Mont Olivet
Additional Prestigious Private Schools in Switzerland
Teach both Taekwondo and the Taekfundo education system
Students consistently excel in skill development and competitive success
Media Features
- Iran International TV: Regularly featured as a leading Taekwondo analyst on the most prominent Iranian news channel globally, providing in-depth commentary on international Taekwondo events, including the World Championships and Olympic Games.
- Additional Media: Frequent appearances in various Iranian and international media outlets, highlighting his achievements and contributions to martial arts and entrepreneurship.
Education
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering & Process Design, Azad University, South Tehran Campus
Wikipedia
For more detailed information, visit my Wikipedia page.