Morteza Mehrzad finds identity and success through Iranian sitting volleyball

Morteza Mehrzad, a Paralympic champion, helped the Iranian men’s sitting volleyball team win their fifth consecutive Asian Para Games title in October.

Mehrzad, who stands 2.46 meters tall, was born with acromegaly, a medical condition that caused him to live in isolation in a remote village in northern Iran. He spent years avoiding the public due to self-consciousness about his physical appearance until a television appearance led to an invitation to try sitting volleyball.

He says the sport helped him overcome his shame and re-engage with the world. The team has established a dominant record in the sport since Iran joined the Paralympic Games in 1988. Iran is currently the most successful men’s team in the history of sitting volleyball, having earned eight gold medals and two silver medals in 10 Paralympic appearances.

The team secured its ninth title at the 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Hangzhou, China, by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 to 1. Mehrzad has received multiple individual honors, including Most Valuable Player at Tokyo 2020 and Best Attacker at Paris 2024. The Iranian athletes now aim to win a fourth consecutive Paralympic gold medal at the LA28 Paralympic Games in 2028.