Sitting Volleyball World Championships:
Iran coach Rezaei calls for greater support after securing world title
Iran men’s sitting volleyball head coach Hadi Rezaei has called for greater investment and long-term support to help the national team maintain its dominance after securing a record-extending ninth title at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Hangzhou, China.
Iran successfully defended its crown by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final, also booking its place at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, where it will chase a ninth gold medal.
Friday’s victory was Iran’s second over its familiar rival in Hangzhou, following a 3-1 win in the pool stage. It also marked Iran’s fourth consecutive victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a major final, having also prevailed in the title deciders in 2018 and 2022, as well as the gold-medal match at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Speaking after the triumph, Rezaei said winning the world title and securing Paralympic qualification had been the team’s primary objectives, regardless of the world rankings.
“With Egypt finishing seventh, Brazil fourth and Bosnia and Herzegovina second, the world rankings could change,” Rezaei said. “We will wait and see whether we return to the No. 1 spot, but what mattered most to us was winning the world championship and qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.”
Iran entered the tournament ranked fourth in the world.
The veteran coach thanked fans and officials for their congratulatory messages but stressed that sustained success would require far greater backing from sports authorities.
“This team has been winning world and Paralympic titles for many years, but if we want to continue this success in the future, we need funding, better facilities, overseas training camps and international warm-up matches,” he said.
“We went to the World Championships with maximum motivation but minimal preparation. I hope that after the team’s return, special attention will be given to sitting volleyball because sustained success is impossible without proper support.”
Rezaei acknowledged that maintaining Iran’s supremacy would become increasingly difficult and said a fresh approach was needed to keep the team at the top.
“Winning the world title and qualifying for the Paralympics despite all the challenges we faced was a major achievement,” he said. “Our task will be even harder in the coming years, and we need a new vision for sitting volleyball.”
The coach also expressed hope that Iran’s women’s sitting volleyball team could eventually emulate the men’s achievements by reaching the top of the podium and qualifying for the Los Angeles Paralympics.
“That will only be possible if we have an independent budget and proper preparation,” he said.
Iran’s women defeated Japan in straight sets to finish seventh, their best-ever result in five appearances at the World Championships.
Rezaei revealed that Iran claimed the world title despite entering the tournament without playing a single official warm-up match over the past two years, relying solely on domestic training camps.
“Encouraging messages are appreciated, but if we want to succeed at future events, especially the Los Angeles Paralympics, sitting volleyball needs real support and greater attention from officials,” he said. “Only then can we continue winning titles.”