The 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships concluded in Hangzhou, China, with Iran and the United States securing the men’s and women’s titles, respectively. The tournament featured 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams, representing both established powers and emerging nations in the sport.
In the men’s competition, Iran extended its historic dominance by winning its ninth World Championship title on July 17. The Iranian team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 in the final, with set scores of 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, and 25-16. This victory adds to Iran’s previous titles earned in 1985, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2010, 2018, and 2022, reaffirming the nation’s long-standing supremacy in sitting volleyball. Iran has also secured eight Paralympic gold medals since the sport’s debut at the 1980 Arnhem Games.
The gold medal match renewed a prominent rivalry, as Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina had also faced each other in the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Iran took control early by winning the first two sets, while Bosnia and Herzegovina fought back to claim the third set. However, Iran responded decisively in the fourth set, limiting their opponents’ attack opportunities and closing out the match in one hour and 39 minutes.
Kazakhstan made history by capturing the bronze medal for the first time at a Sitting Volleyball World Championship. They won a closely contested 3-2 match against Brazil. Key performances included Perdebay Namuratov, who led all scorers with 38 points—32 from attacks and five aces—while teammate Erik Kaskabayev contributed 28 points in the contest.
On the women’s side, the United States emerged as the world champions, continuing their strong presence in international sitting volleyball. The overall tournament showcased a depth of talent and competition from across the globe, reflecting the sport’s increasing growth and visibility in the Paralympic movement.