10-07-2025
Olympic karate dream fuels Mandana's new life in Australia
A dream of representing her adopted country Australia in karate fuels Maitland school girl Mandana Sadeghi's transition into her new life after emigrating from Iran last year.
A junior black belt in karate, Mandana's martial arts skills outstrip her English skills for now.
But possessing a fierce determination, the 13-year-old, who attends Maitland Christian School, uses every opportunity to improve her English.
Not that it prevents her from being a favourite among instructors and classmates at Guys Karate School where she trains each week.
Mandana's father Nader came to Australia when Mandana was just six months old, leaving his daughter and wife Maryam in Iran, while he tried to forge a better life and opportunities for them in Australia.
The barber, who works at the Rutherford Shopping Centre, became an Australian citizen and worked tirelessly sending money home and building up his savings to finally bring out his family last year.
"I hadn't seen my my wife or my daughter in all that time. It's a blessing to have them here with me now," he said.
In her typically determined fashion, Mandana wrote prepared answer prior to the interview, spending 12 hours on the project to ensure it met her exacting standards.
"I have a strong passion for karate, rap, and dancing. Becoming a heart surgeon is also one of my biggest dreams," Mandana said.
"When I was a child, my father migrated to Australia, and it took 13 years until I was finally able to join him.
"Since I was little, I have had a lot of energy. When I was in third grade, one day it suddenly came to my mind ... I wanted to join a karate class.
"My best friend Adrina has already been doing karate for many years."
Mandana's mother contacted her friend's mother about classes and Mandana enrolled a couple of days later.
"The Sensai there tested me, and I passed. I started from zero, and every day I became more passionate about karate and worked harder," Mandans said.
"My Sensai gave me the nickname 'Wild Cat' because I was very good at fighting and always tried my best.
"I love my Sensai very much, and he helped me a lot.
"Also, the Shihan (Lindsay Guy) in my karate class in Australia has supported me greatly and I am grateful to him too.
"I earned my black belt in Iran, and since then karate has been a big part of my life.
"Even through all the hardships in Iran, I never forgot karate. I never gave up on it.
"Some people may have laughed at me or underestimated me. But I never gave up."
Mandana lives by her own sage mantra.
"My only real competitor is the version of myself from yesterday," she said. "Every day, I must be better than before and keep growing.
"With faith and effort, I will become a champion and make the country I now live in - Australia - proud."
A dream of representing her adopted country Australia in karate fuels Maitland school girl Mandana Sadeghi's transition into her new life after emigrating from Iran last year.
A junior black belt in karate, Mandana's martial arts skills outstrip her English skills for now.
But possessing a fierce determination, the 13-year-old, who attends Maitland Christian School, uses every opportunity to improve her English.
Not that it prevents her from being a favourite among instructors and classmates at Guys Karate School where she trains each week.
Mandana's father Nader came to Australia when Mandana was just six months old, leaving his daughter and wife Maryam in Iran, while he tried to forge a better life and opportunities for them in Australia.
The barber, who works at the Rutherford Shopping Centre, became an Australian citizen and worked tirelessly sending money home and building up his savings to finally bring out his family last year.
"I hadn't seen my my wife or my daughter in all that time. It's a blessing to have them here with me now," he said.
In her typically determined fashion, Mandana wrote prepared answer prior to the interview, spending 12 hours on the project to ensure it met her exacting standards.
"I have a strong passion for karate, rap, and dancing. Becoming a heart surgeon is also one of my biggest dreams," Mandana said.
"When I was a child, my father migrated to Australia, and it took 13 years until I was finally able to join him.
"Since I was little, I have had a lot of energy. When I was in third grade, one day it suddenly came to my mind ... I wanted to join a karate class.
"My best friend Adrina has already been doing karate for many years."
Mandana's mother contacted her friend's mother about classes and Mandana enrolled a couple of days later.
"The Sensai there tested me, and I passed. I started from zero, and every day I became more passionate about karate and worked harder," Mandans said.
"My Sensai gave me the nickname 'Wild Cat' because I was very good at fighting and always tried my best.
"I love my Sensai very much, and he helped me a lot.
"Also, the Shihan (Lindsay Guy) in my karate class in Australia has supported me greatly and I am grateful to him too.
"I earned my black belt in Iran, and since then karate has been a big part of my life.
"Even through all the hardships in Iran, I never forgot karate. I never gave up on it.
"Some people may have laughed at me or underestimated me. But I never gave up."
Mandana lives by her own sage mantra.
"My only real competitor is the version of myself from yesterday," she said. "Every day, I must be better than before and keep growing.
"With faith and effort, I will become a champion and make the country I now live in - Australia - proud."
A dream of representing her adopted country Australia in karate fuels Maitland school girl Mandana Sadeghi's transition into her new life after emigrating from Iran last year.
A junior black belt in karate, Mandana's martial arts skills outstrip her English skills for now.
But possessing a fierce determination, the 13-year-old, who attends Maitland Christian School, uses every opportunity to improve her English.
Not that it prevents her from being a favourite among instructors and classmates at Guys Karate School where she trains each week.
Mandana's father Nader came to Australia when Mandana was just six months old, leaving his daughter and wife Maryam in Iran, while he tried to forge a better life and opportunities for them in Australia.
The barber, who works at the Rutherford Shopping Centre, became an Australian citizen and worked tirelessly sending money home and building up his savings to finally bring out his family last year.
"I hadn't seen my my wife or my daughter in all that time. It's a blessing to have them here with me now," he said.
In her typically determined fashion, Mandana wrote prepared answer prior to the interview, spending 12 hours on the project to ensure it met her exacting standards.
"I have a strong passion for karate, rap, and dancing. Becoming a heart surgeon is also one of my biggest dreams," Mandana said.
"When I was a child, my father migrated to Australia, and it took 13 years until I was finally able to join him.
"Since I was little, I have had a lot of energy. When I was in third grade, one day it suddenly came to my mind ... I wanted to join a karate class.
"My best friend Adrina has already been doing karate for many years."
Mandana's mother contacted her friend's mother about classes and Mandana enrolled a couple of days later.
"The Sensai there tested me, and I passed. I started from zero, and every day I became more passionate about karate and worked harder," Mandans said.
"My Sensai gave me the nickname 'Wild Cat' because I was very good at fighting and always tried my best.
"I love my Sensai very much, and he helped me a lot.
"Also, the Shihan (Lindsay Guy) in my karate class in Australia has supported me greatly and I am grateful to him too.
"I earned my black belt in Iran, and since then karate has been a big part of my life.
"Even through all the hardships in Iran, I never forgot karate. I never gave up on it.
"Some people may have laughed at me or underestimated me. But I never gave up."
Mandana lives by her own sage mantra.
"My only real competitor is the version of myself from yesterday," she said. "Every day, I must be better than before and keep growing.
"With faith and effort, I will become a champion and make the country I now live in - Australia - proud."
