Main Event has a new sponsored athlete!
Iranian born 26 year old Homayon Hatami is a Karate world champion who fled to Australia as a political refugee following a period of persecution, imprisonment and torture.
Arriving on a sinking boat, he was captured by Australian officials and spent a hellacious stint at a detention center in Western Australia where he was hospitalized three times for severe depression. He’s been living in a community detention center in Geelong for the past three years.
On May 8, 2013 he saved a woman’s life from drowning and received awards for bravery from the Royal Humane Society, Victorian Premier, Victorian Police and the Governor-General.
Despite being publicly commended for heroism and selected by the Australian Karate Federation to represent Australia internationally, Homayon was informed by the immigration department that his bridging visa will not be renewed when it expires in April and he faces deportation back to Iran.
In the face of uncertainty, Homayon has not given up on his dream. He trains for up to four hours everyday and hopes to one day open a karate club and win gold for Australia at international competitions.
Main Event will be covering Hom’s training expenses. Hom has already been a great personality to have around the gym, and we look forward to helping him out wherever we can!Β
News stories on Homayon:
SBS: http://bit.ly/1zHy2NE
Herald Sun: http://bit.ly/1xc1Wr8
The Age: http://bit.ly/18dfIQS