[EXCLUSIVE] A Special Story of Adversity and Inspiration in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

STUDIO MMA, LOS ANGELES, CA — Anoshirvan ‘Anosh’ Parvazi was born in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1988. He is of Iranian descent and still resides in his birth city.  In 2005 Anosh survived a terrible accident in which he and his best friend Goran Trkulja were electrocuted by a 60,000-volt discharge from an electric train track.  Goran died immediately as he was decapitated, but Anosh survived and managed to call 911 before he collapsed.

Anosh flat-lined for 4 minutes before being revived by medics.  The doctos put him into a drug-induced coma for 8 months, after which the prognosis was dismal.  Doctos did not expect him to walk again and recommended amputation of both of his legs and his right arm.  Fortunately, he and his parents did not concur with this course of action.

After years of depression and arduous rehabilitation, Anosh finally found a light in his life: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu great Jean Jacques Machado.  Machado had been born with no fingers on his left hand, but overcame this disability in order to become one of the world’s best practitioners.

Learning of Machado’s success, Anosh began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling career at Conde BJJ under the tutelage of world renowned brown belt, Martin ‘Greven’ Hedenberg.  After only five months of practice, Anosh had earned one bronze medal and two gold medals in competition, and also received a blue belt.  Days after he earned his blue belt, Anosh left for Brazil, where he would deepen his practice of BJJ, learn Portuguese, and honor the legacy of Jean Jacques Machado.

Last week, Hollywood BJJ’s head coach Samir Karlsson, who was inspired by Anosh’s story, arranged a surprise occasion for Anosh to meet his heroic inspiration at Machado’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in Tarzan, CA.  Studio MMA was there, and captured the special moment.