In the northern city of Chalous, located by the Caspian Sea, lives Morteza Mehrzad Selakjani, a man known as the ‘Miracle of Iranian sitting volleyball’. Today, Mehrzad is recognized worldwide for his contributions to sport and for currently being the second tallest man in the world, but his journey from a life of isolation to international stardom is a remarkable transformation story that now shines as bright as ever at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and has hit the media because in the Paralympic Village he is sleeping on the floor as there is no bed in his size.

At 33, Mehrzad stands out not only for his imposing height of 2.46 meters, but for the resilience and determination that have defined his life. However, for much of his early years, Mehrzad considered his extraordinary height more of a curse than a blessing. Shunned by society and uncomfortable with his own body, he spent much of his time isolated at home, reluctant to face a world he felt would never accept him.

Mehrzad’s difficulties began in his teens. Despite being an outstanding academic student, he was forced to drop out of school due to relentless bullying from his peers. To support himself, he entered the working world at an early age, performing various manual labor jobs. It was during this time that a bicycle accident caused him serious damage to his right leg. The injury that was not properly treated causing his right leg to become shorter than his left, a physical difference that only deepened his sense of isolation.

HIS LIFE CHANGED IN 2012

In 2012, however, Mehrzad’s life took an unexpected turn. The Iran Paralympic Federation discovered him and invited him to try out sitting volleyball, an adapted sport for athletes with disabilities. His exceptional height, which had previously been a source of insecurity, became his greatest asset. In sitting volleyball, where players remain seated and rely heavily on upper body strength and reach, Mehrzad’s 2.46 meters gave him an unparalleled advantage on the court.

His impact on the sport was immediate and profound. Mehrzad quickly became a key player for Iran’s national sitting volleyball team, helping the country to victories in multiple international competitions, including the Rio and Tokyo Paralympic Games. His presence on the court is simply transformative; when seated with his arms raised, he reaches 182 cm, allowing him to block and spike with a level of dominance that few can match.

“I never felt good about my physical condition or my body.”

Ahead of the Paris Paralympics, Mehrzad reflected on her journey and the role sitting volleyball has played in transforming her life. “Even before I joined the national team or competed in the Paralympics, people always called me ‘the tall guy,’” he shared during a training session in Tehran. “Sitting volleyball has helped me tremendously. I never felt good about my physical condition or my body. But this very difference allowed me to excel.”

Hadi Rezaeigarkani, the team’s coach, told Olympics.com that “in Tokyo they did make a special bed, but unfortunately here (in Paris 2024) they did not. He is going to lie on the floor, but he has the most important goal in mind. He doesn’t care if he’s going to lie on the floor or if he’s not going to have enough to eat. Either way, he has his mind set on becoming champion.”

HIS KEY ROLE IN THE VICTORIES

Despite his fame, Mehrzad remains humble, constantly downplaying his individual accomplishments in favor of praising his teammates. “I am grateful for being recognized as one of the best sitting volleyball players in Iran, but this is not true,” he said in an interview with Iranian media. “Each of my teammates is the best in his own way and together we form the best team in the world. It is not right to single out just one; all our guys are the best, and together we build the best team.”

Although Iran has long been a powerhouse in sitting volleyball, it is undeniable that Mehrzad has played a crucial role in their recent successes. His physical uniqueness and skill have not only made him a vital player, but have also brought greater attention to the sport and the capabilities of athletes with disabilities.