Morteza Mehrzad: The volleyball star forced to sleep on the floor in the Paralympic village

Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the second-tallest man in the world, has become a surprising focal point at the Paris Paralympic Games—not just for his exceptional skills in sitting volleyball but also for an unusual challenge posed by his towering height of 2.46 meters (8 feet). The Iranian Paralympic athlete, better known as Mehrzad, was forced to sleep on the ground.

The beds provided in the athletes' village are too small for him. Despite this discomfort, the Iranian Paralympic champion, who previously won gold in Rio and Tokyo, remains determined and focused on securing yet another medal at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Iranian team leader Hadi Rezaeigarkani revealed that unlike the Tokyo Paralympics, where a custom bed was provided for Mehrzadselakjani, no such arrangement has been made upon the team's arrival in Paris, reports the Spanish publication Marca.

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"He doesn't have a special bed, but he has got the most important aim in his mind. It doesn't matter to him whether he will lay on the floor or he's not going to have enough to eat. He has the mind of a champion," shared his coach Rezaeigarkani during an interview, according to CNN.

However, after the news of Mehrzadselakjani's struggles came out, Paralympic organizers scrambled to accommodate the Paralympic athlete. "The matter has now been resolved," according to CNN.

At the age of 16, Mehrzadselakjani stood at an impressive 1.90 meters (6'1 feet) tall when he was diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition caused by an excess of growth hormone. His extraordinary height had many believing he was destined to become a basketball star in Iran.

A serious cycling accident altered the course of his life. The accident left him with a fractured pelvis and one leg significantly shorter than the other, which ultimately redirected his athletic journey towards sitting volleyball, where he has since become a Paralympic champion.

Mehrzadselakjani's path to becoming a Paralympic athlete took an unexpected turn when he was discovered by an Iranian coach while appearing on a television show that featured individuals with unique physical characteristics.

The coach, struck by Mehrzadselakjani's extraordinary height, recognized his potential in sitting volleyball. This chance encounter led to Mehrzadselakjani joining the national team, where he quickly became a dominant force, leveraging his height to become one of the most formidable players in the sport.

As Mehrzadselakjani continues to face challenges off the court due to his extraordinary height, or lacking suitable sleeping arrangements, his focus remains on his performance and helping his team achieve victory. A story of resilience and the pursuit of excellence, regardless of the obstacles!

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