Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi is the founder and CEO of World Shin Do Kumaté Association, Inc.  He opened his first Dojang in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1993 and in 2007 relocated to Feather Sound in Clearwater, FL.  He is now regarded as one of the most experienced and traditional Martial Arts Masters in North America.  His teachings are based on traditional training, eastern philosophy and the teachings passed down to him by prominent Grandmasters of the Far East and Asia, namely his first teacher Mr. Hassen Vaghiey of Persia, and ultimately his last teacher, Grandmaster In Suk Pak of Korea. 

The discipline taught by Master Mehrdad is unique and only taught by him.  It is a root and combination of Kung Fu, Hapkido, Muay Thai, Persian Martial Arts and his own system which formulates into the style of Shin Do Kumaté. 

Regarded as an “old school” instructor, Master Mehrdad teaches the true fundamentals of Martial Arts.  The combination of the arts learned and studied by Master Mehrdad for over 40 years have made him a highly accomplished and educated Master.  Master Mehrdad has what it takes for eager students seeking skills, fitness, enlightenment, and knowledge of Far Eastern philosophy, as well as for those seeking to become the next biggest named fighter in the world of amateur or professional fighting.  He is also known for helping many people avoid surgeries and rehabilitate past injuries by rebuilding and strengthening joints and flexibility using techniques he developed from his knowledge of deep yoga and fitness training. 

Master Mehrdad’s philosophy is that each student must earn their rank in Martial Arts through hard work, dedication, and honor.  One must respect the art and should never misuse it or initiate confrontational encounters.  Children are taught honor, respect, and discipline and don’t achieve black belt ranks until a minimum age of 16. 

Message from Master Mehrdad

Over the past decade, a style of fighting called Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become a popular fighting style in the United States.  Unfortunately, it has been misconstrued into something far from its origin. MMA was devised 20 years ago by the Gracie Family from Brazil who studied the art of Jujitsu.  They developed Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) to bring “skillful” Martial Artists from various disciplines who had mastered their own styles and then compete in their UFC arena to see which style was superior - thereby calling it “Mixed Martial Arts.”  Today, and ever since the Gracie family sold UFC, MMA is far from what it was meant to be and really should not include the words “Martial Arts” within its name, as it does not reflect the roots, honor, respect and discipline that represent the history and culture of Martial Arts.  MMA schools have opened everywhere, but MMA cannot be taught and should definitely never be taught to children.  I only teach the true perspective of MMA, which I learned many years ago when I was training and competing in full contact Martial Arts.  Martial Arts should be represented by honorable athletes in a manner that upholds the integrity of the sport.

Criteria and Accomplishments

Throughout his many years of business, Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi and his dojang have been featured numerous times by local and national television stations, newspapers and international publications. He has been recognized by the Educational Funding Company (EFC) magazine internationally as a world renowned Martial Artist and also by MAN Magazine (Martial Arts News Magazine) as “The courageous fighter who will challenge anyone.”  Channel 10 News also televised a story of Master Mehrdad as the U.S. professional athlete competing in the European Full-Contact Martial Arts event titled K-1.

Master Mehrdad has received recognition for his outstanding achievements, including the National Leadership Award presented by Congressman Tom Delay of the National Republican Congressional Committee; 2003 Businessman of the Year presented by Congressman Tom Reynolds; and recognized in The Wall Street Journal on March 19, 2003 as one of the Business Advisory Council’s 5th Annual “Businessmen Of The Year.”  Master Mehrdad has also been invited to meet with members of Congress. 

Master Mehrdad promotes healthy lifestyles for young students by giving demonstrations at public schools, local libraries, various charities, companies and private organizations. These include “The Great American Teach-In” since 1994; The “David D” Television show on WFTS 28 Tampa Bay; The Entertainment Comedy Show for Children; various fundraisers for the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross to benefit 9/11 New York disaster victims; a Carlie Brucia fundraiser that included a free self defense workshop for children within the community; and a Self Defense Seminar held at the St. Pete Times Forum held in memory of Jessica Lunsford where Master Mehrdad stood on stage with Mark Lunsford to bring awareness to The Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation for support to help pass the Jessica Lunsford Act.  Master Mehrdad’s organization has held many free self-defense seminars for children within the community, as well as various charitable organizations including Saint Jude’s All Children’s Hospital. 

 To learn more about the dojang please click one of the links below:

Testimonials
Master Mehrdad's Creed
History of Master Mehrdad & Personal Achievements
Persian Warrior 

Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi
Ancient Hapkido - Shaolin Kung Fu
World Shin Do Kumaté Association, Inc.
(727) 573-8589