Reading 14
Local triathlete refuses to let adversity win
By Marty Gaal
Special to the Sentinel
June 3, 2005
Farshad Charmforoosh of Orlando is not one to let adversity keep him down.
In 1980, he made the Iranian national team for swimming but did not participate in the Olympics
because Iran did not send a contingent to the Games.
In 1981, he was ready to compete in the Islamic Games in Turkey, but the Iran-Iraq War was going on.
Charmforoosh said Iraqi fighter jets bombed the airport his team was getting ready to take off from.
Since 2000, he twice has been hit by a car and collided with a dog while riding his bike. The car
accidents each resulted in two herniated disks in his back. The incident with the dog broke his
collarbone.
"Over the years, the Olympic dreams died due to injuries, circumstances, lack of opportunity and
generally life," Charmforoosh said. "But I can still strive to be the best in my age group and maybe
someday win a world title."
That's where triathlons come in.
Charmforoosh, 38, is one of Central Florida's most competitive and respected triathletes. At the
popular Windermere bike ride on Sunday mornings, it's not unusual to see him leading the main pack
through the hills of Clermont. The average pace of these rides is usually over 25 mph. Professional
cyclists will draft behind Charmforoosh.
And Charmforoosh (pronounced Charm-for-oosh) has qualified for the Ironman Triathlon World
Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in October.
"Sports and, specifically today, triathlon have acted as a great equalizer," he said. "What I mean by
that is that when I train and race, I am no longer the guy from the Middle East, although I have been
a U.S. citizen since 2002. I am just another athlete. All that matters is what you have in your heart,
what you are really made of.
"You might say that I feel that I have a lot to prove. That motivates me."
After immigrating to the United States in 1983, Charmforoosh played water polo for Villanova
University from 1985-89, earning All-America status. He went on to earn several national titles in
U.S. masters swimming. Lingering shoulder problems, though, eventually led him away from swimming
and to triathlons.
"As tough as Farshad is physically, he's even stronger mentally," said triathlon coach Jeff Cuddeback,
who is one of Charmforoosh's training partners. "He's the type that can keep going when everybody
else has given up. On our last ride, Farshad was still ready to race -- after 100 miles of riding.
"But then he'll turn around and be the most helpful guy out there. He has a heart of gold."
Paul Duckett of Winter Park regularly competes against Charmforoosh, who intends to participate in
the Central Florida Triathlon Series (quarter-mile swim, 11-mile bike ride, 3-mile run) on Sunday in
Clermont.
"Farshad is an amazingly strong triathlete who maintains a wonderfully quiet and unassuming
demeanor, which is rare for us triathletes," Duckett said. "I am never ashamed of getting beat by
Farshad in any race."
Last month, Charmforoosh qualified for the third time for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.
He did so by placing 34th overall and fifth in the 35-39 age group in the St. Croix International
Half-Ironman (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike run, 13.1-mile run). The last time he qualified for the world
championship was in 2003, just a few weeks after his collarbone healed.
This time hasn't been any easier. His father died in January.
"This year, I hope to have a performance in Kona deserving of my father's memory," said
Charmforoosh, who is a project manager for a construction consulting firm. "With his loss, I
sometimes find it hard to stay motivated. Ultimately, however, it is the sport, triathlon, that has
given me the greatest comfort.
"It's my escape. It has its own pressures, its own demands, but when I train, I feel free."
By Marty Gaal
Special to the Sentinel
June 3, 2005
Farshad Charmforoosh of Orlando is not one to let adversity keep him down.
In 1980, he made the Iranian national team for swimming but did not participate in the Olympics
because Iran did not send a contingent to the Games.
In 1981, he was ready to compete in the Islamic Games in Turkey, but the Iran-Iraq War was going on.
Charmforoosh said Iraqi fighter jets bombed the airport his team was getting ready to take off from.
Since 2000, he twice has been hit by a car and collided with a dog while riding his bike. The car
accidents each resulted in two herniated disks in his back. The incident with the dog broke his
collarbone.
"Over the years, the Olympic dreams died due to injuries, circumstances, lack of opportunity and
generally life," Charmforoosh said. "But I can still strive to be the best in my age group and maybe
someday win a world title."
That's where triathlons come in.
Charmforoosh, 38, is one of Central Florida's most competitive and respected triathletes. At the
popular Windermere bike ride on Sunday mornings, it's not unusual to see him leading the main pack
through the hills of Clermont. The average pace of these rides is usually over 25 mph. Professional
cyclists will draft behind Charmforoosh.
And Charmforoosh (pronounced Charm-for-oosh) has qualified for the Ironman Triathlon World
Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in October.
"Sports and, specifically today, triathlon have acted as a great equalizer," he said. "What I mean by
that is that when I train and race, I am no longer the guy from the Middle East, although I have been
a U.S. citizen since 2002. I am just another athlete. All that matters is what you have in your heart,
what you are really made of.
"You might say that I feel that I have a lot to prove. That motivates me."
After immigrating to the United States in 1983, Charmforoosh played water polo for Villanova
University from 1985-89, earning All-America status. He went on to earn several national titles in
U.S. masters swimming. Lingering shoulder problems, though, eventually led him away from swimming
and to triathlons.
"As tough as Farshad is physically, he's even stronger mentally," said triathlon coach Jeff Cuddeback,
who is one of Charmforoosh's training partners. "He's the type that can keep going when everybody
else has given up. On our last ride, Farshad was still ready to race -- after 100 miles of riding.
"But then he'll turn around and be the most helpful guy out there. He has a heart of gold."
Paul Duckett of Winter Park regularly competes against Charmforoosh, who intends to participate in
the Central Florida Triathlon Series (quarter-mile swim, 11-mile bike ride, 3-mile run) on Sunday in
Clermont.
"Farshad is an amazingly strong triathlete who maintains a wonderfully quiet and unassuming
demeanor, which is rare for us triathletes," Duckett said. "I am never ashamed of getting beat by
Farshad in any race."
Last month, Charmforoosh qualified for the third time for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.
He did so by placing 34th overall and fifth in the 35-39 age group in the St. Croix International
Half-Ironman (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike run, 13.1-mile run). The last time he qualified for the world
championship was in 2003, just a few weeks after his collarbone healed.
This time hasn't been any easier. His father died in January.
"This year, I hope to have a performance in Kona deserving of my father's memory," said
Charmforoosh, who is a project manager for a construction consulting firm. "With his loss, I
sometimes find it hard to stay motivated. Ultimately, however, it is the sport, triathlon, that has
given me the greatest comfort.
"It's my escape. It has its own pressures, its own demands, but when I train, I feel free."
