Syed Imam started his martial arts journey in 2009 in the Shotokan Karate style and joined the International Shotokan Karate Federation, where he was trained by Sensei Ahcene Moussaoui, 7th Dan, Sensei Xavier Boulanger, and Chairman/Chief Instructor Hiroyoshi Okazaki, 9th Dan.

He was part of ISKE for one year, where he was trained by Sensei Rod Butler, 6th Dan.

In 2015, he joined WSKF and trained under Sensei Albertas Gustis, the founder of Alfa Shotokan Karate Club, who is a great teacher that leaves his students with positive, inspiring words, and those words teach us for as long as we live.

Syed has attended courses with Sensei Hiroyoshi Okazaki, Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya, 8th Dan, and Chief Instructor of WSKF, 8th Dan Sensei Tomiko Mitsuoka, whose advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.

Syed believes that karate is not confined to the borders of the dojo but is a way of life.