Iranian Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team Advances to Asian Para Games Semifinals

The Iranian women's wheelchair basketball team began its tournament at the Asian Para Games in Ait-Nago on Monday, defeating Cambodia with a score of 52:39 in their third match.

After two consecutive losses to Japan and Thailand, Iran needed to show a worthy response, and the team managed this task. The first half was tense, and the Iranian women were able to take the lead, gaining an advantage of 24:23 at halftime.

In the second half, the situation changed dramatically. Iran demonstrated brilliant play, increasing the lead over Cambodia and securing a confident victory by a margin of 13 points.

This match marked the team's first victory at the 2026 Para Asian Games. Iran still has two matches ahead against China and Laos. The women's wheelchair basketball tournament at the fifth stage of the Games is held in a 'round robin' format with six teams participating: Iran, Japan, Thailand, China, Laos, and Cambodia.

The Iranian men's national wheelchair basketball team defeated the Philippines with a score of 71–45 on Monday. The match took place as part of the third group stage of the Asian Para Games, and this victory marks the team's third consecutive win in this competition.

Prior to this match, Iran had also beaten Iraq 81–23 and South Korea 67–62. Thanks to three consecutive victories, the Iranian team advanced to the playoffs as the group leader.

Iran's head coach, Behrouz Soltani, characterized the game as a good result for his team and emphasized that the players now need to focus on preparing for the playoff stage.

Having secured three wins out of three matches played, Iran intends to maintain its momentum as the competition moves into the decisive stages.

The Iranian men's sitting volleyball team is preparing for the upcoming Asian Para Games in Nagoya with a clear goal: to continue its outstanding dominance and win its fifth consecutive gold medal at the continental multi-sport event.

Thanks to an impressive track record, a roster that includes some of the world's most famous sitting volleyball stars, and a rich tradition of victories, Iran is once again one of the main contenders for the title.

The Iranian team has scheduled matches against Thailand on October 20th and Kazakhstan on October 21st; both games will play a crucial role in determining the team's progression in the tournament. These opening matches will serve as an early test of Iran's readiness, stability, and ability to handle the pressure associated with defending a long-standing championship title.

Iran's results in the four previous editions of the Asian Para Games speak volumes about the team's quality and consistency. By winning gold in each of the last four tournaments, the Iranian side has established itself as a powerhouse in men's sitting volleyball, setting a benchmark that rivals will strive to meet.

Winning one major championship requires talent, teamwork, and determination. However, maintaining such a level of excellence over four consecutive tournaments demands much more. Iran's sustained success reflects years of experience, a strong competitive culture, and the ability to deliver results when the stakes are high.

The task in Nagoya will be to turn this history into yet another title. Past achievements provide confidence, but they also create additional pressure, as every opponent will be motivated to interrupt Iran's winning streak. Therefore, the Iranian players will have to approach every match with concentration and discipline, viewing each contest as a new challenge rather than relying on their reputation.

A fifth consecutive gold medal will be another significant milestone for Iranian sitting volleyball, strengthening the country's position among leading Asian nations in para sports.

Iran's hopes are bolstered by the presence of recognized stars such as Morteza Mehrzad, Sadegh Bigdeli, and Meysam Alipour. Their experience and individual skills may prove valuable as the team attempts to navigate the tournament and maintain its place at the top of the podium.