Iran strengthened its status as the most successful nation in men’s sitting volleyball by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina to win a record ninth title at the 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Hangzhou, China.
Iran defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 in Friday’s final at the World ParaVolley Development Centre, repeating the championship matchups of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and the 2022 World Championships.
The defending champions took the first, second and fourth sets 25-21, 25-20 and 25-16, while Bosnia and Herzegovina claimed the third set 25-20.
The victory secured Iran’s ninth world championship, extending its record as the most decorated men’s team in the history of the competition.
Iran has now won world titles in 1985, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2010, 2018, 2022 and 2026, adding to its eight Paralympic gold medals. Bosnia and Herzegovina remains the second-most successful nation with three world titles, four silver medals and one bronze.
🏆🏐 “This flag will never fall”
Iran’s sitting volleyball team celebrated its ninth world title by proudly waving the Iranian flag after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Championship final 3-1.@presstvsports pic.twitter.com/7wCP63jjND
— Press TV Sports (@presstvsports) July 17, 2026
The latest triumph also continued Iran’s dominance in one of international sitting volleyball’s greatest rivalries. The two teams have now met 17 times in official competitions, with Iran holding a 12-5 advantage.
The 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships, held in Hangzhou from July 10 to 17, brought together 32 national teams and also served as a qualification event on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Coach dedicates title to people of southern Iran
Speaking after the match, head coach Hadi Rezaei said the team would quickly turn its attention to the next Paralympic cycle.
“This championship and this tournament are over for us, and from tomorrow we will be thinking about the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games,” he said.
Rezaei said sitting volleyball had become an integral part of Iranian sporting culture, adding that playing attractive volleyball remained an important objective for the team.
🏆🏐 Iran sitting volleyball coach Hadi Rezaei dedicates his team’s ninth world title to the people of southern Iran, as well as the country’s martyrs and their families, saying the focus now shifts to defending Paralympic gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.@presstvsports pic.twitter.com/xfOjc3MJMJ
— Press TV Sports (@presstvsports) July 17, 2026
“Sitting volleyball has become part of our culture. It is important for us to play beautifully,” he said.
“I dedicate this championship to the people of southern Iran and to all the martyrs and their families,” Rezaei said, referring to the week-long US aggression against southern Iranian provinces that has killed at least 38 Iranians and wounded more than 400 others.
“The players produced a beautiful performance today and earned what they deserved for all the hard work they have put in.”
He also praised the public’s continued support for the national team.
“The people have always appreciated these players. I expect nothing for myself, but these players are truly champions, and I hope this title brings joy to the hearts of millions of Iranians,” he said.
