Reigning world champions Iran and Brazil prepare to take centre stage at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games sitting volleyball competition from August 29 to September 7 at the North Paris Arena.
Iran, a colossal force in men’s sitting volleyball, aim to reaffirm their dominance and extend their unparalleled legacy. In contrast, Brazil, fuelled by their first world title, are driven by an unyielding desire to reach the pinnacle of Paralympic success.
Both teams are set to embark on their unique journeys, each with their eyes firmly on the ultimate prize – Paralympic gold.
Iran’s quest for an eighth Paralympic gold
Iran have been a dominant force on the international stage. Their triumph at the 2022 WPV Sitting Volleybll Men’s World Championship, where they decisively defeated hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, showcased their unwavering excellence. This victory marked their eighth world title in eleven appearances.
The road to Paris 2024 has been paved with success. They have won every tournament leading up to the Paralympic Games, including the Asian Zone Championship in Kazakhstan, the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and the 2023 WPV Sitting Volleyball World Cup in Cairo. Their squad, featuring stars like setter Davoud Alipourian and the towering Morteza Mehrzad, is a formidable blend of talent, experience and strategic brilliance under the guidance of legendary coach Hadi Rezaei.
Their mission in Paris is to capture their eighth Paralympic gold medal, adding to their impressive haul of seven gold and two silver medals from past Games.
Brazil’s battle for first Paralympic gold
Brazil’s made history at the 2022 WPV Sitting Volleyball Women’s World Championship, securing their first-ever world title by overcoming Canada in a thrilling tie-breaker. The win not only marked a milestone for the team, but also placed them as top contenders on the global stage.
Following their world championship success, they continued to demonstrate their competitive edge, earning bronze medals at the 2023 World Cup in Cairo and the 2024 WPV Women’s Super 6 in Nancy.
At the Paralympic Games, Brazil has twice claimed the bronze medal, and now they are determined to achieve their first gold. Central to this ambition are star players like Gizele Costa Dias, whose longevity and experience anchor the team, and Suellen Dellangelica Lima, a rising force in the Brazilian offense, both pivotal to their recent successes. Led by coach Fernando Guimaraes, who aims to match the Olympic gold medal achievements of his brother, Ze Roberto, Brazil’s team is driven by a shared dream of standing atop the Paralympic podium.
