Mojarrad makes winning debut with Alanya Belediye in Turkish league
Iranian middle blocker Aliasghar Mojarrad enjoyed a winning start to life in Turkish top-flight volleyball, helping Alanya Belediye sweep Istanbul Başakşehir in straight sets (25-22, 25-18, 25-17) in the Efeler Ligi on Sunday.
The victory, secured just a day after Mojarrad joined the club, ended a six-game losing streak in the league and lifted Alanya Belediye out of the relegation zone. The team now sits 11th in the 14-team table with five wins and 18 points from 11 matches.
Mojarrad contributed six points in the win, while his fellow Iranian and international teammate, opposite spiker Bardia Saadat, chipped in 15 points to help snap the skid.
Mojarrad, who was part of Iran’s squad at the Tokyo Olympics, was once widely touted as the natural successor to Seyed Mohammad Mousavi following the veteran middle blocker’s retirement from national team duty.
However, the 28-year-old’s trajectory in recent years was derailed by a series of recurring injuries, which repeatedly sidelined him for long periods, making recovery and rehabilitation the dominant theme of his career.
Last season, after transferring to San’atgaran Omid in the Iranian Super League, he was struck by another severe injury that kept him off the court for nearly a year. His career now appears to be turning a new page with his recent move to Turkey.