TEHRAN - Iran’s men’s sitting volleyball team on Wednesday defeated the United States in the quarterfinals of the World Championships in Hangzhou, China, and advanced to the semifinals.
Iran won in straight sets 25-21, 25-15, and 25-16. The team had previously defeated Poland, Bosnia, Japan, and China.
The Iranian team will continue its matches in the semifinals against Kazakhstan on Thursday. 
Iran’s squad includes Meysam Haj Babaei, Sadegh Bigdeli, Hamidreza Abbasi, Mehdi Babadi, Ali Akbari, Davoud Alipourian, Hossein Golestani, Masoud Emami, Muhammad Nemati, Jamal Nazari, Meysam Alipour, and Morteza Mehrzad.
The top teams in both men’s and women’s divisions will secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
The 14th edition of the World Championships, which began on July 10 in Hangzhou, will continue until July 17. The two finalists in both the men’s and women’s divisions will secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Iran, with a record of eight championships, one runner-up finish, and three third-place finishes, is seeking its ninth world title in Hangzhou.