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

“SUPER SPIKE!” the PA announcer bellows inside the electrical celebration ambiance of the North Area on the outskirts of Paris.

Arms outstretched vast, Morteza Mehrzad, sitting on the ground in his purple prime and black trousers, lets out a roar to have fun yet one more punishing blow which instantly ends the rally.

It’s simply one of many 27 factors, essentially the most accrued by anyone participant, that helped Iran win a record-extending eighth Sitting Volleyball Paralympic title after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina within the last by three units to at least one (22-25, 30-28, 25-16, 25-14). When Mehrzad briefly stood to shake palms together with his opponent on the finish of the sport, the online got here as much as his midriff. His team-mates got here up degree together with his sternum.

Standing at 8ft 1in (2m 46cm) — bigger than most doorways, longer than most beds — the 36-year-old is the second tallest man on this planet.

Born with gigantism, his impairment has posed some issues. Mehrzad had been sleeping on the ground within the Paralympic village. The Iran staff requested an prolonged mattress earlier than the Video games however the two extensions offered to a normal athlete’s mattress have been inadequate. A 3rd extension was made and his coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani and Paris 2024 organisers confirmed this week that the problem had been resolved and Mehrzad was sleeping comfortably within the village.

Certainly it was Rezaeigarkani — who has gained eight gold medals from his 10 Paralympic video games, first as a coach after which as a participant — who noticed Mehrzad on an Iranian tv programme that includes folks with bodily abnormalities. The coach contacted Merhzad — who makes use of a wheelchair having injured his pelvis in a motorcycle accident on the age of 16, stopping the expansion of his proper leg — and obtained him into the game.

Mehrzad not often went out in public, Rezaeigarkani has mentioned in earlier interviews, as a result of his peak and facial options — the latter attributable to acromegaly, a hormonal dysfunction — attracted unusual seems.

“I used to be a depressed man and my life modified fully with volleyball,” Mehrzad advised Esportivo. Rezaeigarkani believes the game gave him hope.

Mehrzad was a key participant in Iran’s gold medal pursuit (Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)

Having stood out in public and obtained undesirable consideration, Mehrzad is now head and shoulders above the remaining courtesy of his sporting prowess.

Evidently, there are important benefits to having such a tall participant in your staff. When sitting, Mehrzad has a most attain of 6ft 4in (1.96m). His hand stretches 81cm above the peak of the online, permitting him to generate immense energy as he kills off factors with profitable pictures. As an out of doors hitter, that’s his job.

Mehrzad has to verify his physique is in the precise place, nonetheless, and such a big body requires agile motion. Sweat dripping down his face, he pushes his decrease physique on the ground, legs prolonged, up and down the court docket swiftly, studying the short interchange of play.

Mehrzad’s attain stretches 81cm above the peak of the online (Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)

In actual fact, in addition to his menacing spikes, what stood out most on Friday night time is that Mehrzad, on the altering of ends or time-outs, all the time moved by shuffling and infrequently obtained to his toes. “Morteza is the most effective spiker and some of the essential gamers on this planet,” mentioned his greatest pal and the ultimate’s quickest server (73km/h), Meisam Ali Pour, talking by way of a translator after the sport. “He is aware of what to do, however he can’t do it by himself.”

Silver medallist Stevan Crnobrnja of Bosnia considered Mehrzad as simply one other one among Iran’s nice gamers. They accepted they might not do a lot about his peak benefit, however targeted on neutralising others who have been essential in setting him up. If one among his team-mates doesn’t set or go the ball, Mehrzad is helpless.

Ali Pour, who, going into the ultimate, had contributed extra factors (39) than Mehrzad (28), emphasised the necessity for teamwork. “If all the most effective gamers on this planet play collectively, they won’t be able to beat Iran,” he mentioned.

Mehrzad towers above his team-mates (Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)

Expressive and animated on the court docket, off the court docket, Mehrzad, who was not out there for interview, is shy, reserved and doesn’t like consideration.

His team-mates and coach see him as only one member of a really united group. “My staff has 12 stars, Morteza is one among them,” mentioned coach Rezaeigarkani. “We didn’t have Morteza earlier than and we is not going to (all the time) have him sooner or later.”

When requested what the key to Iran’s success is, Rezaeigarkan replied: “Work, work, work.”

(High picture: Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)