Recipient of two Hall of Fame Awards, as the Martial Arts Master of the Year, and a martial artist for over 35 years Farshad Azad is a Grandmaster of martial arts. Often referred to by his Korean title Kwanjanim, Grandmaster Azad holds an Eighth Degree Black Belt in the art of Hapkido, Grandmaster rank in the Shaolin style Tai Chi Chuan, Grandmaster in the art of Shim Ken Do, Master rank in Taekwondo and Black Belt, Master rank in Filipino fighting art of Modern Arnis and Escrima, proficiency in a variety of Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese and South East Asian Arts as well as Mixed Martial Arts systems, Full Contact Kickboxing, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. An advance instructor with International reputation for teaching effective martial arts applications, martial arts philosophy, history and knowledge, as well as executive protection and personal safety, Grandmaster Azad believes that all martial artists are members of one family regardless of their styles and abilities.

Grandmaster Azad has taught and shared his knowledge with thousands of martial arts masters, and enthusiasts in various countries including United States of America, England, Iran, Mexico, Ireland, Korea and Canada just to name a few.

At an early age Farshad Azad began learning martial arts privately from a martial arts master. As the only student of his Master, he learned the ways of protecting himself rapidly against others. He soon learned the philosophy of becoming a stronger person by developing his mind and spirit along with the physical body and using his newly acquired power and skills to actually bring more peace between his friends. His passion for martial arts grew rapidly as his martial arts training positively impacted his school work and his general success in life. From early on he learned to keep an open mind in martial arts and in life not only as a sign of respect to various martial arts systems and instructors but as a way to live his life. He continued training aggressively until Farshad had to relocate to Lawrence, Kansas to continue his pursuit of higher education. He continued his martial arts studies in the old and new systems of martial arts as he trained many folks along the way including members of the university’s football team. That is when he started diversifying his knowledge of martial arts even more by training in various arts at the same time.

By the time he received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas (KU) he was a well accomplished martial arts instructor in various disciplines as well as a seasoned fighter and competitor in Midwest area of United States of America. His education took him to California where he received his Masters Degree and became a member of the faculty of the California State University, Chico. In that capacity he created the first Korean Martial Arts Club and the Curriculum for the Kinesiology Department where he is still a part time faculty member.

Farshad Azad is also the founder of Shimkendo, a form of martial arts designed for adults and the senior citizens. Azad created the art to help adults of all ages to overcome mental and emotional barriers to further develop better health. He developed this art based on years of studying healing arts from Japan, China, Korea, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and Native cultures of America. The arts credibility is entirely self spoken as it has restored health and rejuvenated the lives of so many all around the world.

Grandmaster Azad is the founder of Realistic Defensive Tactics (RDT) which was designed in July of 1999 and developed over the years. RDT is designed to teach tactical and technical knowledge to personal protection, executive protection experts, law enforcement, air marshals, drug enforcement agents, and security personnel. Mr. Azad is also the founder and the director of U.S.A. Kardio Kickboxing Center and Certification program. This certification course is designed to teach athletes and personal trainers to develop appropriate techniques and abilities for training folks toward their personal health goals by using martial arts techniques.

Kwanjanim Azad also holds Master Instructor ranks in the following systems developed by Mr. Tom Patier:

• Law Enforcement Survival Systems,

• Family Protection Systems,

• Know & Go Self Defense For Children,

• Training For Life,

• Last Resort Tactics, Deadly Force,

• Last Resort Weapon Disarms, Counter Terrorism,

• C.D.T. (Compliance, Direction, Takedown) Non-Deadly Force.

Grandmaster Azad is recognized and has had the honor of training with many well known Martial Arts Masters among which are: Grandmaster, Dr.Tae Yun Kim (founder of the art of Jung Su Won) , Professor Remy Presas (founder of the Filipino art of Modern Arnis), Sifu Lenny Vavalette, Grandmaster Park, Ki Jun, Grandmaster Lee, Choon, Sensei Joe Bueno, Professor Jane Carr, Shihan Nishiuchi, and Dojunim Ji, Han Jae the true founder of the art of Hapkido.

Grandmaster Azad is an official Vice-President of the World Hapkido Association with branches all around the world. He is also an official representative of Dojunim Ji in United States. Grandmaster Azad is chosen by Dojunim Ji to carry his personal and martial arts will in future.

In year 2002, Grandmaster Azad was honored in Seoul, Korea by Grandmaster Lo at the Prime Minister’s National Hapkido Tournament held the Olympic Center in Seoul.

Grandmaster Azad has also been a recipient of an Honorary Award by the United States Federal Marshals for assisting with their tactical and technical training. In year 2000 he produced his first Instructional Video and DVD series for RDT with the title, “Pen, Mightier than Sword!” where he teaches civilians how to protect themselves in difficult situations with the assistance of a simple writing pen.  In 1996 Grandmaster Azad was nominated by the public and chosen by a Board of Directors as “a local hero” to carry the Olympic Torch for the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. He carried the Olympic Torch in the streets of Chico due to his strong dedication to community involvement and activism. Grandmaster Azad is the first Martial Arts Master ever selected as the “Local Hero” to carry the official Olympic Torch.
Grandmaster Azad has been a member of the Academic Advisory Council at the California State University, Chico. He is the recipient of Honorary Service Award from The National P.T.A Council for his volunteer work with children at various schools in Northern California.  In 2011 Mr. Azad wsa the recipient of the Chico Board of Education Hall of Fame Award called “Hank Marsh Award”.

He has also received numerous letters and awards for his community activism and volunteer spirit from the City of Chico, The Mayor’s Office, The California Governor’s Office, The United States Congressman Wally Herger’s Office, The Assemblyman’s Office, The United Way of Butte and Glenn Counties, The Ident-A-Child Foundation, Kick Drugs Out Of America Program, The United Way’s Ron Palmer Community Service Award, The International Association for Counter-Terrorism & Security Professionals, The California State Assembly, Various law enforcement agencies, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chico, Florida Cosmopolitan Martial Arts Hall of Fame, U.S. Martial Arts Association, City of Chico Fire Department, Sunshine Kids Program, Saint Jude Children Cancer Research Hospital, Boys and Girls Clubs, Salvation Army, Easter Seals Program, City of Chico Parks Department, Marine Corp Toys For Tots Program, Chico Noon Exchange Club, Rape Intervention Programs, Humane Society, The United Way Individual Excellence Award, Educational Funding Company, United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, California State Assembly and California State Senate.

Kwanjanim Azad’s Project Sparrow Program at Azad’s Martial Arts Family Center has helped hundreds of children develop positive mental attitude and the ability to take charge of their life. This program targets Youth-At-Risk and embraces them with martial arts respect, courage, ethics, positive life-style, positive values and greater athletic abilities and skills to rebuild their mental and emotional characteristics and to further redirect their energy toward a constructive life-style. Many people such as teachers, judges, attorneys, social workers, community leaders, school principals, religious leaders, members of law enforcement and community activists have referred and contributed to the program by sponsoring children. Grandmaster Azad’s Project Sparrow’s success speaks for itself, as it has had 98% success.

Grandmaster Azad is also the founder and the owner of Azad’s Martial Arts Family Center serving people since 1985. He has developed complete programs for children (starting age 3), adults, seniors, special needs children. Grandmaster Azad’s curriculums for children with various mental, physical and emotional disabilities have been remarkable in their achievements in empowering and building self esteem and finally rebuilding physical abilities. His programs have served individuals with various disabilities such as: Hearing Impaired, visually impaired, Blindness, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorders, Hyperactivity, Paraplegic to name a few.

You may contact Grandmaster Azad (for seminars, rank certifications, special programs, questions or comments) by writing to him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.