Para-athlete Morteza Mehrzadselakjani who is competing at the Paris Paralympics 2024, is taking an unusual approach to become a champion. The Iranian is sleeping on the floor on his path to podium glory.
Mehrzadselakjani is a staggering 2.46m tall and holds the record of Iran’s tallest man, the world’s second tallest man and tallest athlete ever to compete at Paralympics Games.
No Bed, Only Roses For Morteza Mehrzadselakjani
Organisers at Paris Paralympics 2024 could not come up with a befitting bed for him and the Paralympian was forced to sleep on the floor. This is in contrast to the treatment he received at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where a special bed was crafted for him.
“He doesn’t have a special bed, but he has got the most important aim in his mind. It doesn’t matter for him whether he will lay on the floor or he’s not going to have enough to eat. In any way, he has the mind to become a champion”, Mehrzadselakjani’s coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani said.
The tallest athlete is eyeing a Paralympic gold hattrick at Paris 2024 in the sport of sitting volleyball, after finishing at the top of the podium in 2020 Tokyo and Rio 2016.
Mehrzadselakjani and his Iranian teammates are on a mission to win their Paralympic title for the nation. Iran has won seven of the nine competitions they have featured in since their first try at Seoul 1988.
Mehrzadselakjani was diagnosed with acromegaly at a young age, a rare condition that causes excess growth in parts of the body. A bicycle accident in his teenage years resulted in an injured pelvis and stunted the growth of his right leg. It is now about six inches shorter than his left leg with the 36-year-old athlete sometimes using a wheelchair to move.
Being the tallest man, Mehrzadselakjani spent 11 years in his room, in his house, without going out. He used to be greeted with unnecessary attention when he wanted to step out of his home. However, he has gone to grab the spotlight as a champion now.
Mehrzadselakjani joined the Iran national team in 2015 and made his debut at the Paralympic Games at Rio 2016 six months later. In that competition, Iran came back at the top of the podium after finishing with a silver medal at London 2012.
Literally towering over his teammates, Mehrzadselakjani has been a formidable force on the court, boosting up the strength of the already-strong Iranian team.
Also Read: Paris Paralympics 2024: Everything To know About The Trailblazing Event
The giant athlete is a nightmare for Iran’s opponents. Even when sitting down on the court, with his arms raised, Mehrzadselakjani is over six feet tall, an intimidating figure for his rivals in volleyball.
Read More
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani was named the Most Valuable Player and Best Spiker at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and Best Spiker at the 2022 world championships.
