I Am JMAC: Irmuum
About Irmuun
Irmuun Zolboo, age 17, was born and raised in Mongolia, and moved to the U.S. with his family in 2021 in pursuit of a brighter future. He began high school in Ann Arbor, where he is currently in his senior year.
Irmuun shares, "Before immigrating, I was unmotivated and lazy, especially during quarantine. I joined JMAC because I wanted to change and prove to myself that I can work hard and succeed. Since then, I've come a long way in achieving my goals through hard work. I now dedicate much of my time to JMAC, teaching youth and becoming better at judo".
In his free time, he enjoys exercising and self-improvement: "I love going to the gym and finding ways to better myself".
Irmuun reflects on his journey and hopes for the future: "I am now 17 and wish to accomplish more than I did during my first three years here in the U.S."
Path to Martial Arts
"When I first joined martial arts at JMAC, my goal was to prove to myself that I could work toward a certain goal and accomplish it".
Irmuun describes his father as a source of inspiration for him to pursue martial arts: "My dad was a boxer and his stories inspired me to learn how to defend myself. I sought an art that I could do continuously for many years, and chose judo".
Favorite Aspects of JMAC
Irmuun describes JMAC's inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community as motivating him to start and continue his martial arts journey. He credits the judo program in particular for helping him find a place and role in the JMAC community, after initially struggling to fit in the U.S.
"JMAC accepts anyone from anywhere. I've met many people who have accomplished so much and have become closer to them. There is connection and family here."
He describes the camaraderie, encouragement, and friendships built with other members as strongly contributing to his personal growth both inside and outside the dojo.
"Even though the JMAC community is very supportive, they still push you to go beyond your limits in order for you to succeed. JMAC has tremendously helped me to become the individual I am today".
Athletic & Martial Arts Experience
"Before martial arts, I played team sports. I played soccer throughout elementary school until middle school, and then started basketball, which I still enjoy. After starting basketball, I played volleyball, and found a lot of joy in working as a team. I continue to play these sports, but less competitively and more as a hobby".
Personal Challenges
Irmuun recalls finding it hard to fit in when he first joined JMAC: "I wasn't the most social and talkative person".
With time, however, he was able to adjust and thrive at JMAC by connecting with others through judo: "I realized I could 'talk' through judo. Through sparring or randori, I would know the abilities and character of my opponents, which made connecting with them easier. It seemed weird that I found it more comfortable to talk to people after I had either thrown them or been thrown by them."
He reflects, "My journey at JMAC has been more mental than physical. It was a fight within myself." He described the challenge and intensity of judo as initially overwhelming, and experienced a battle within himself to build confidence in his physical abilities.
Irmuun observes,"Through consistent practice and dedication, I was able to overcome myself".
Positive Changes and Growth Since Starting Training
Irmuun describes his training at JMAC as transforming him both mentally and physically. "Before joining JMAC, I was a shy kid who would not speak a single word throughout a whole day. I'm now someone who is always talking, greeting others, and comfortable in a community that I once struggled to fit into".
He describes each JMAC class as teaching him valuable lessons about himself, and helping him reflect on ways that he could improve both on and off the mat. "Through trial and error, I learned more and more about myself, and began to improve each day".
Irmuun also experienced physical changes since starting at JMAC: "I started out chubby and unfit, but through hard training and dedication, I was able to slim down". He later decided to gain weight with a focus on building strength and muscle. Irmuun observes, "Through training and experience, I was able to grow towards becoming the best version of myself".
Irmuun shares his words of wisdom to anyone who is considering martial arts: "The most difficult step is to just start going. Like many things, if you're consistent and dedicated toward a goal, anyone can accomplish feats that they once thought were impossible".