The Iranian sitting volleyball team are into the semi finals at the Paralympic Games, with the second tallest man in the world playing a part in their success.
Morteza Mehrzad stands at a massive eight feet and one inch and after helping his country to gold in Rio in 2016, holds the record for the Paralympics tallest ever competitor.
Sitting on the floor his raised arms stretch well over six feet, and he has helped put the team within reach of another medal in Tokyo.
Iran are favourites for the competition having made the final every games since the Paralympics in Seoul 1988.
Mehrzad was diagnosed with acromegaly at an early age which is a condition that stems from an excessive growth hormone.
He normally uses a wheelchair or crutches to get around as a result of a serious pelvis fracture he suffered in a bicycle accident at the age of 15.
The injury caused his right leg to stop growing, and it is now six inches shorter than his left leg.
The 33-year-old took up sitting volleyball in 2011 when a coach spotted him on television and noticed his potential due to his towering height advantage over both his competitors and teammates.
He was first called up to the national squad in 2016 and helped Iran to the top step of the podium in Rio, after eight years without a gold in the event, following a 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With a highest block reach of six feet four inches, coaches from opposing teams have had to rethink their strategies as a result of his presence on the court.
Music: Where We Gonna Go - Patrick Patrikios
Source: Daily Mail, NyTimes, Reuters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews
Morteza Mehrzad stands at a massive eight feet and one inch and after helping his country to gold in Rio in 2016, holds the record for the Paralympics tallest ever competitor.
Sitting on the floor his raised arms stretch well over six feet, and he has helped put the team within reach of another medal in Tokyo.
Iran are favourites for the competition having made the final every games since the Paralympics in Seoul 1988.
Mehrzad was diagnosed with acromegaly at an early age which is a condition that stems from an excessive growth hormone.
He normally uses a wheelchair or crutches to get around as a result of a serious pelvis fracture he suffered in a bicycle accident at the age of 15.
The injury caused his right leg to stop growing, and it is now six inches shorter than his left leg.
The 33-year-old took up sitting volleyball in 2011 when a coach spotted him on television and noticed his potential due to his towering height advantage over both his competitors and teammates.
He was first called up to the national squad in 2016 and helped Iran to the top step of the podium in Rio, after eight years without a gold in the event, following a 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With a highest block reach of six feet four inches, coaches from opposing teams have had to rethink their strategies as a result of his presence on the court.
Music: Where We Gonna Go - Patrick Patrikios
Source: Daily Mail, NyTimes, Reuters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews
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