Hameed in blue following his victory.

DEARBORN- On July 7, Master Hameed Dakroub, longtime student at Koubeissi Tae Kwon Do School, competed in the USA Tae Kwon Do National Championships in Richmond, Virginia, where he placed in the top three in the country. 

Dakroub did not expect to make it this far because of his busy schedule. 

“Usually, these people dedicate mornings, afternoons and nights to this,” he said. “I’m a lawyer, so I have to make time for it.”

Dakroub started learning Tae Kwon Do at age 5 at a different school in Dearborn, receiving his black belt a few years later. Seeing his potential in the sport and wanting him to compete in tournaments, his father pulled him out of the school and enrolled him in Koubeissi’s.

“Master Ali Koubeissi has a great reputation in the martial arts community around the world,” Dakroub said. “He was a national champion and an international champion multiple times. It was a great fit.”

When Dakroub first entered the class with a black belt on, Koubeissi took it away. 

“I had to prove myself to him and actually earn it,” he said. “It’s been a great relationship ever since.”

Koubeissi explained that it’s a tradition all masters follow. 

Koubeissi (left) with Dakroub.

“It’s to maintain the student,” he said. “I always tell my students when I give them the black belt, ‘The belt doesn’t make you; you make the belt.’”

For undergraduate school, Dakroub received a scholarship from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, graduating with a degree in business and a minor concentration in law. Then, he went on to graduate from law school at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Dakroub said it was tough to train while studying, but still manageable.

“The busier you are, the more time you have,” he said. “It’s because you’re able to manage yourself better and you don’t have time to waste.”

To the school’s knowledge, Dakroub might be the first male lightweight world class competitor from Michigan to place in the top three in the country. In the upcoming months, he will undergo training for the U.S.A. Tae Kwon Do National Team Trials at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado.

“If I am successful there, I earn a spot on the U.S.A. Tae Kwon Do National Team,” Dakroub said.

At Nationals, he competed in a weight division he was not used to, but still managed to place at the top.

“It was a little surprising to me,” he said. “This division is all tall people, so I didn’t fight anybody under 6’2.’’ It was a challenge.”

Dakroub could not diet a month before the competition to be in his usual weight-class, the featherweight division, because it was Ramadan. He didn’t want to be malnourished, so he stayed at his normal weight.

In addition to training every day before breaking his fast, he underwent rigorous training on many nights from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. after breaking his fast.

Over the years, Dakroub has realized that families in the Dearborn community expect their children to only enter certain professions. 

“They expect you to be a doctor, an attorney, an engineer,” he said. “My advice is that you can take people’s advice, but follow your heart as well.”

Many people tell the 26-year-old athlete that he’s too old to continue Tae Kwon Do and that he should focus on his career, instead.

“This is just something I truly enjoy; I’m going to do it while I practice law at the same time,” he said. “When you find the time, you live your life much happier.”

Overall, Dakroub has won six state championships, one regional championship and a Junior Olympic championship. Medaling at the National Championships in the adult World Class Division was the only missing title, which he finally accomplished.  

“If you score in the adult division, it gives you a chance to go to the Olympic team trials and represent the U.S. in the Olympics,” Koubeissi said. “Alhamdillah (thank God). Like they say, it’s a dream come true.” 

Dakroub said he owes all his success to Master Ali Koubeissi.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without him by my side,” he said.