Morteza Mehrzad
Iranian sitting volleyball player and two-time Paralympic gold medalist.
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, often referred to as Morteza Mehrzad, is an Iranian volleyball player who plays on the Iran men's national sitting volleyball team. He is known as the tallest living man in Iran and the third tallest living man in the world, with a height of 2.47 m and the record for the longest hand in the world at 28.5 cm (left) and 28.0 cm (right). He has won two gold medals at the Summer Paralympics (2016, 2020), is a two-time World Para Volleyball champion (2018, 2022), and a three-time gold medalist at the Asian Para Games (2014, 2018, 2022) with Iran's sitting volleyball team.
Quick Facts
- Fullname
- Morteza Mehrzadselakjani
- Birth Date
- 1987-09-17
- Birth Place
- Kelachay, Gilan, Iran
- Position
- Outside hitter
- Currentnumber
- 2
- Height
- 2.47 m
- Nationalyears
- 2015–
- Nationalteam
- Iran Iran sitting volleyball team
- Weight
- 140
- Spike
- 201
- Block
- 195
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Morteza Mehrzad had a severe medical condition called gigantism, triggered by excessive growth hormone production in the brain's pituitary gland. At age 16, he was measured to be over 6 feet 2 inches. When he was 15, a bicycle accident caused a serious pelvic fracture, stopping his right leg from growing and leaving it about 15 centimeters shorter than his left leg. He became depressed after the accident and began using a wheelchair, crutches, and a walking stick.
His talent was spotted by Iran national head coach Hadi Rezaei in 2011 after watching a television program about unusual and disabled talented people. Hadi contacted the television network, inquired about Mehrzad, and convinced him to play sitting volleyball. Mehrzad was selected for Iran's national team in March 2016 after training at various regional clubs, and made his international debut in 2016 at the Paralympics qualifiers.
At the 2016 Summer Paralympics, he was the match top scorer with 28 points in the final, helping Iran defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3–1 for the gold medal. He was also the second best spiker during the 2016 Rio Paralympics. In 2018, he helped Iran win the Sitting Volleyball World Championship, securing Iran's first world title in 8 years with a 3–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He won his second Paralympic gold in 2020 after Iran defeated Russia 3–1 in the final.
Reader's Guide
Morteza Mehrzad's significance lies in his extraordinary physical attributes combined with his dominance in sitting volleyball, a sport adapted for athletes with physical impairments. Standing at 2.47 m and holding the record for the longest hand (29 cm), he is the tallest living man in Iran and the third tallest in the world. His career is marked by an unprecedented run of three consecutive Paralympic gold medals (2016, 2020, 2024), three World Para Volleyball championships, and three Asian Games gold medals. He also won the Golden Ball award for best player in 2019, 2021, and 2022. His journey from a bicycle accident that stunted his leg growth and led to depression, to being discovered through a television program by coach Hadi Rezaei, highlights the role of adaptive sports in transforming lives. Mehrzad's legacy is defined by his consistent top-scoring performances in major finals and his role in Iran's sitting volleyball dynasty, which has repeatedly defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in championship matches.
Did You Know?
- Morteza Mehrzad holds the record for the longest hand in the world, measuring 28.5 cm (left) and 28.0 cm (right).
- He was discovered by Iran's national coach Hadi Rezaei after appearing on a television program about disabled talented people in 2011.
- A bicycle accident at age 15 caused a pelvic fracture that left his right leg about 15 cm shorter than his left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Morteza Mehrzad?
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, commonly known as Morteza Mehrzad, is an Iranian athlete who competes in sitting volleyball for the national team. He holds the distinction of being the tallest living person in Iran and ranks as the third tallest living man globally, standing at 2.47 m.
How does acromegaly affect Morteza Mehrzad's body?
Mehrzad's acromegaly has resulted in extraordinary proportional growth, most notably giving him the world record for the longest hand at 28.5 cm on the left and 28.0 cm on the right. His overall stature of 2.47 m is also a direct consequence of the condition.
What are Morteza Mehrzad's major competitive achievements?
He has earned two Paralympic gold medals (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), two World Para Volleyball titles (2018, 2022), and three Asian Para Games golds (2014, 2018, 2022) with Iran's sitting volleyball squad.
What sport does Morteza Mehrzad play and at what level?
Mehrzad is a sitting volleyball player who represents Iran at the international level, including the Paralympic Games, World Para Volleyball Championships, and Asian Para Games.
Why is Morteza Mehrzad considered significant in the acromegaly community?
He demonstrates that a person with acromegaly can compete at the very top of international adaptive sport while simultaneously holding world records for extreme physical measurements. His dual legacy as both a record-holder and a multi-medal Paralympian makes him a prominent public figure associated with the condition.
More in People with acromegaly 1-24
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