The match was over, but Iraq’s sitting volleyball players were in no mood to stop celebrating.
Inside their changing room, the players broke into song, clapped, danced and raised their arms in delight. Some bounced to the rhythm, others threw their hands into the air, while teammates and support staff joined in the celebrations. There were broad smiles, embraces and plenty of laughter.
It was quite a scene. And after watching Iraq’s spirited performance against China at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on Tuesday, it was easy to understand why.
The Iraqis had just completed their second successive straight-sets victory, beating China 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 26-24) in their Group A encounter. Coming after an opening win against hosts Japan, the result gave the team plenty of reasons to believe they could make a serious challenge for a medal.
Captain Abbas Al-Ghuraibawi, who led from the front, was quick to dedicate the victory to those who had supported the team.
“First of all, congratulations to the Iraqi people, congratulations to the Iraqi National Paralympic Committee, congratulations to the federation, congratulations to the coaches and congratulations to all my teammates,” he said.
Then came a promise. “Inshallah, our team is determined to win a medal here. We will not return to Iraq until we win a medal.”
China Push, Iraq Respond
The final scoreline suggested a comfortable afternoon for Iraq, but the contest was far from straightforward.
The Iraqis controlled the opening two sets, winning 25-16 and 25-18 with some determined attacking and disciplined defence. China, however, were not prepared to surrender without a fight.
The third set was a different story. China raised their game and held a three-point advantage for much of the contest, threatening to drag the match into a fourth set.
Iraq had to work their way back, point by point. They kept the rallies alive, fought for possession and gradually chipped away at China’s lead. Every successful point brought another roar from the Iraqi bench.
With the scores tight towards the finish, the tension was evident. But Iraq held their nerve and eventually took the set 26-24 to complete the victory. That was the signal for the celebrations to begin.
Players embraced on court, punched the air and congratulated one another. And if anyone thought the excitement would settle down once they returned to the changing room, they were mistaken.
The celebrations there were even more exuberant, with players and staff singing, dancing and cheering together.
A Team Growing In Confidence
Iraq’s performances have been among the encouraging stories of the early competition. Their opening victory over Japan had already given them a confidence boost. Beating China, the bronze medallists at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, added further weight to their campaign.
Coach Dr Alo Subhab was pleased with the way his players handled the challenge. “The match was strong against the Chinese team,” he said, acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
But his attention was already turning to the next challenge against Kazakhstan. “Inshallah, we will win against Kazakhstan, which is a stronger competitor,” he said.
For the coach, the two victories have strengthened the team’s belief, although he was careful not to get carried away when asked about the possibility of winning gold.
“Iran is the first team in the world. Tough, tough,” he said, recognising the formidable challenge posed by the sport’s leading nation. “But our ambition is to win all the matches.”
A Medal Promise To Iraq
For Al-Ghuraibawi, there was no hiding his excitement. The captain was particularly pleased that Iraq had managed to overcome two difficult opponents without dropping a set. He now hopes the team can carry that momentum into their meeting with Kazakhstan and maintain their unbeaten run.
His confidence reflected the mood inside the Iraqi camp, where every player seemed determined to make the most of the occasion.
Sitting volleyball is a fiercely competitive sport in Asia, with Iran setting the benchmark internationally. For countries such as Iraq, challenging the established powers requires consistency, patience and the ability to withstand pressure.
Against China, Iraq showed those qualities when it mattered most. There are still difficult matches ahead, and two victories alone will not guarantee a place on the podium. But the scenes inside the changing room offered a glimpse of what these results meant to the players. For a few minutes, there was no discussion about tactics, opponents or the next match. Just a group of teammates celebrating together, their voices filling the room.
