Tallest Ever Paralympian Helps Iran to Volleyball Dominance

Sitting volleyball is a sport designed for athletes with physical disabilities, played on a smaller court with a lower net that is under 4 feet high.

Players move around the court while seated, making agility and coordination essential. But with 36-year-old Morteza Mehrzadselakjani’s exceptional height, Iran has an advantage that few teams can counter.

At 8-foot-1 (2.46 meters), he is not only the tallest Paralympian in history, but also the driving force behind the team tipped to secure the gold medal.

They have yet to lose a set, sweeping both Brazil and Ukraine in straight sets during the preliminaries.

With one more match against Germany before the semifinals, Iran is well-positioned to chase its third consecutive gold medal in the sport. If successful, this would mark Iran’s eighth Paralympic gold in sitting volleyball since they first competed in the event a decade ago.

As the Iranian men’s squad advances to the semifinals in Paris, Mehrzadselakjani’s talismanic presence could add to the country’s present Paralympic tally of eight—one Gold, four Silver, and three Bronze, so far.

Mehrzadselakjani’s life took a significant turn when he was diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition caused by excessive growth hormone production.

He is the joint-second tallest man in the world, tied with Moroccan amusement park worker Brahim Takioullah, who also shares the condition.

Sultan Kösen, a Turkish farmer, pips both of them to the post by 1.8 inches.

Mehrzadselakjani’s path to sports was not straightforward. At the age of 15, he was involved in a bicycle accident that severely injured his pelvis and caused his right leg to stop growing, leaving it about 6 inches shorter than his left.

This injury severely limited his mobility and presented a number of physical and emotional challenges that drew him into isolation.

It wasn’t until his mid-twenties that he was discovered by the Iranian sitting volleyball team.

Iran’s national head coach, Hadi Rezaei, discovered Mehrzadselakjani after watching a television program that highlighted individuals with unique talents and disabilities. Intrigued by his abilities, Rezaei promptly contacted the television network to learn more about him.

Coaches recognized his potential to be a formidable asset in the sport, particularly because of his height and extraordinary reach.

U.S. Wheelchair Basketball Team Advances Undefeated

In other news, the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team concluded pool play undefeated, securing a 76-69 win over Australia.

This victory marked their third consecutive win, solidifying their status as the two-time defending gold medalists. Over the course of the tournament, the team has outscored its opponents 202-159.

“We wanted to finish group play strong,” said player Fabian Romo. “But our focus now shifts to the quarterfinals. We need to be ready, no matter who we face.”

The Americans await the results of other matches to determine their quarterfinal opponent, with France being a potential contender.

Veteran player Nate Hinze noted, “Playing the host country is always exciting. Paris has done a fantastic job filling the stadiums and creating an electrifying atmosphere.”

Zubkovska Secures Fifth Consecutive Long Jump Gold

Ukraine’s Oksana Zubkovska has had a remarkable 17-year long jump career, but her fifth gold medal, earned since Beijing in 2008, carries special significance.

“Every medal I’ve won is important, but this one means more because of what’s happening back home,” Zubkovska shared. Her top five jumps surpassed all her competitors, with her winning distance reaching 5.78 meters.

Zubkovska competes in the T12 classification, designed for athletes with partial vision impairment.

Dutch Duo Returns to Quad Doubles Final

In wheelchair tennis, Dutch pair Sam Schröder and Niels Vink continued their dominance, cruising past South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory.

With this win, Schröder and Vink advance to the men’s quad-doubles final, a title they previously won at the Tokyo Paralympics.

The duo will face off against British pair Andy Lapthorne and Gregory Slade in the gold-medal match, scheduled for Wednesday at Roland Garros.

Schröder and Vink also had individual successes in Tokyo, with Schröder taking silver and Vink earning bronze in the quad singles competition.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press