How Morteza Mehrzad, the world’s second tallest man, led Iran to Paralympic gold

“SUPER SPIKE!” shouts the PA announcer in the electric party atmosphere of the North Arena on the outskirts of Paris.

Sitting on the ground in his red shirt and black pants, arms outstretched, Morteza Mehrzad lets out a roar of honor in yet another punishment that immediately ends the rally.

It was just one of 27 points, the most collected by a player, that helped Iran win a record-extending eighth Sitting Volleyball Paralympic title after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final three sets to one (22-25, 30-28, 25-16, 25-14). When Mehrzad briefly stood up to shake his opponent’s hand at the end of the match, the net reached his midriff. His teammates reached his sternum.

Mehrzad scores another winning goal (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

At 2.46 metres (8ft 1in) — longer than most doors and beds — the 36-year-old is the second tallest man in the world.

Born with gigantism, his disability has caused some problems. Mehrzad slept on the floor in the Paralympic village. The Iranian team requested an extended bed for the Games, but the two extensions of a standard athlete’s bed were not enough. A third extension was made, and his coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani and the Paris 2024 organizers confirmed this week that the problem had been resolved and Mehrzad was sleeping comfortably in the village.

Indeed, it was Rezaeigarkani — who won eight gold medals in his 10 Paralympic Games, first as a coach and then as a player — who spotted Mehrzad on an Iranian television program featuring people with physical disabilities. The coach contacted Merhzad — who uses a wheelchair after injuring his pelvis in a cycling accident at age 16, which stopped the growth of his right leg — and introduced him to the sport.

Mehrzad rarely went out in public, Rezaeigarkani said in previous interviews, because his height and facial features — the latter caused by acromegaly, a hormonal disorder — drew strange looks.

“I was a depressed man and my life changed completely because of volleyball,” Mehrzad said Sporty. Rezaeigarkani believes the sport gave him hope.

Mehrzad was a key player in Iran’s battle for the gold medal (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Mehrzad stood out in public and received unwanted attention, but now he stands head and shoulders above the rest thanks to his sporting talents.

Clearly, there are significant advantages to having such a tall player in your team. When sitting, Mehrzad has a maximum reach of 6ft 4in (1.96m). His hand reaches 81cm above the height of the net, allowing him to generate immense power as he kills points with winning shots. As a winger, that is his job.

Mehrzad, however, must ensure that his body is in the right position, and such a large frame requires agile movement. Sweat dripping from his face, he pushes his lower body to the floor, legs straight, quickly up and down the court, reading the rapid change of play.

Mehrzad’s reach extends 32 inches above the height of the net (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

In fact, what was most noticeable on Friday night, besides his menacing spikes, was that when changing ends or timeouts, Mehrzad always moved by sliding and rarely stood up. “Morteza is the best spiker and one of the most important players in the world,” said his best friend and the fastest server of the final (73 km/h), Meisam Ali Pour, through an interpreter after the match. “He knows what he has to do, but he can’t do it alone.”

Silver medalist Stevan Crnobrnja of Bosnia saw Mehrzad as one of Iran’s best players. They accepted that they could do little about his height advantage, but concentrated on neutralizing others who were crucial in setting him up. If one of his teammates fails to set or pass the ball, Mehrzad is helpless.

Ali Pour, who had contributed more points (39) than Mehrzad (28) going into the final, stressed the need for teamwork. “If all the best players in the world play together, they will not be able to beat Iran,” he said.

Mehrzad towers over his teammates (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Mehrzad was not available for an interview, but was expressive and lively, both on and off the field. He is shy, reserved and does not like attention.

His teammates and coach see him as just one member of a very united group. “My team has 12 stars, Morteza is one of them,” coach Rezaeigarkani said. “We didn’t have Morteza before and we won’t (always) have him in the future.”

When asked what the secret of Iran’s success was, Rezaeigarkan replied: “Work, work, work.”

(Top photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)