Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, better known as Mehrzad, spent five years alone in his house because he was too embarrassed to go outside. Now, he’s hoping to become a three-time Paralympic champion.
The world’s second tallest man is competing in the Paralympics – but he is so tall, he has to sleep on the floor.
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, better known as Mehrzad, is 8ft 0.85in tall and a two-time Paralympic champion in sitting volleyball, representing Iran.
But even though he had a custom-made bed for the Tokyo Paralympics, he’s having to sleep on the floor in Paris, according to his coach.
“He doesn’t have a special bed, but he has got the most important aim in his mind,” head coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani told Olympics.com.
“It doesn’t matter for him whether he will lay on the floor or he’s not going to have enough to eat. He has the mind to become a champion.”
Iran has won seven of the nine tournaments they have competed at since their first try at Seoul 1988.
A gold at Paris 2024 would be a hat-trick for Mehrzad who made his Paralympic debut in 2016, also becoming the tallest athlete to ever compete at a Paralympic Games.
Coach Rezaeigarkani was the one who discovered him when the future athlete appeared on an Iranian reality TV show in 2011 to talk about the challenges he faces in everyday life.