It might seem like a strange happenstance, but that’s exactly how it happened. No extraordinary potential at school, nor the experience of training at a high-performance centre. The truth is, the arrival of the world’s most famous sitting volleyball player was a matter of pure chance. It was in 2011 when Rezaei, in a moment of ambition, pointed at the television, wide-eyed, as Mehrzad made his appearance in the TV show.

Coach Rezaei wasted no time. He picked up the phone and quickly called the production company to request a meeting with that "tall man." The result, as we all know, changed everything. A few conversations, great motivation from the veteran strategist, and a decision by the giant that would completely transform his life: "Playing sitting volleyball helped me a lot," he recently confessed to AFP.

Indeed, Morteza. The story gains even more depth and drama when you dig into it. At the age of 15, the now star of sitting volleyball had a bicycle accident that resulted in a severe pelvic fracture. The injury halted the growth of his right leg, leaving a 15-centimetre disarrangement with his left. Depression hit Mehrzad hard, forcing him to rely on a wheelchair, crutches, and a cane for his daily movements.

Now, at 36, the lighthearted para-athlete faces the media in his third Olympic adventure. He was first selected for Iran’s national team in 2016 after training sessions with several regional clubs in the preceding years. On the horizon were the Rio Games. Rezaei, just four years prior, had to settle for silver, a medal he didn’t like, and one that Iran had only won in Athens 2004.

Thus began the ‘Mehrzad Era,’ the period of the tallest Paralympic athlete in history. The Iranian tower, the second tallest living man on earth, spearheaded the dominance of the already formidable Middle Eastern powerhouse. He secured gold in his debut in Brazil, where he was the top scorer in the final with 28 points, and after the Covid-19 pandemic, he repeated the feat in Tokyo 2020.

In Paris, he hopes to continue a streak aiming for a third consecutive championship, and the eighth title for Rezaei’s team in the ten editions of sitting volleyball. But despite the statistics being in his favour, Mehrzad remains committed and cautious about the challenge ahead: "Our main rival is Bosnia... but we must not underestimate Brazil, Germany, and Egypt," the star affirmed.

However, he was quick to acknowledge the preparation and determination within the Asian team: "The team’s morale is very high," he began. "The guys are very good and well-prepared," he continued, referring to his teammates. Now, we’ll see whether, as usual, Iran continues its winning tradition, or if another team will manage to avoid the monstrous reach of Mehrzad on the other side of the net.