Hooman "Mo" Tavakolian has emerged as an influential figure in the sport of international wrestling.

Born in Iran, Mo moved to the United States when he was eight years old, his family settling in Great Neck, New York on Long Island.

He began his wrestling career at Great Neck South High School. From there, he graduated and competed for Hofstra University for two years before transferring to Hunter College for his remaining two years of collegiate eligibility. During his senior campaign, he earned all-conference and all-state honors while also being named the captain of the team.

After graduating with a degree in psychology, his departure from Hunter was short lived as he rejoined the Hawks as an Assistant Coach from 2001 through 2003.

His post-collegiate wrestling career includes competing for the New York Athletic Club and taking part in the National Veterans World Championship in Budapest. However, his impact on the wrestling community both at home in New York and overseas has had a far reaching effect over the last 10 plus years.

Mo, along with being the Vice President of the New York Athletic Club, is also the U.S. Delegate for the Iranian National Wrestling Team. He was also the liaison for the Islamic Republic of Iran during the Senior and Junior World Championships for wrestling and handled diplomacy between Iran and the US. In 2014 and 2015, he served in a similar capacity and was the interpreter for the American teams that competed in Iran.

He promotes the sport at home as well by being a fundraiser for the Beat the Streets program. Beat the Streets uses wrestling as the vehicle through which young people achieve their full physical, cognitive, and social potential and develop into strong and effective individuals and members of the world. His efforts with the program have landed him a spot on the Board of Directors, a position he still holds today.

Furthermore, he co-founded the Living Your Dream Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to a college-bound Beat the Streets athlete.

Mo was the driving force that brought the Iranian National wrestling team to the Beat the Streets Gala event, Rumble on the Rails back in 2013. Through his efforts, the relationship between the U.S. and Iran in the wrestling world have improved and grown by leaps and bounds.

His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2016, he was recognized as an Iranian-American who makes a difference and was honored at the White House among a group of "Who's Who of Iranian-Americans".