The volleyball world is gripped by deep sorrow after the sudden death of Iranian national Saber Kazemi. Only 26 years old, one of Asian volleyball's greatest talents lost his life after a tragic accident.

According to official information from the Iranian Volleyball Federation (IRIVF), the incident occurred in Doha, where Kazemi was residing with his Qatari club Al Rayyan SC. The opposite hitter received an electric shock in a hotel pool, resulting in severe brain damage. The on-site medical team managed to temporarily resuscitate him, but his condition was critical. He was later transported to Tehran to be near his family, where doctors confirmed irreversible brain death.

The news of his passing was officially confirmed by Iranian media and sparked a huge wave of grief and condolences on social media under the hashtag #RIP_Saber. Teammates, rivals, and fans from around the world shared memories and messages of love and respect for the young athlete. Among the first to express their sorrow were the Asian Volleyball Confederation and his club Al Rayyan, which dedicated a post to their player with the words:"We will never forget you, champion."

Born in Gilan province, Saber Kazemi began his career at Saba Battery Qazvin, then moved through Shahrdari Urmia and other teams in the Iranian Super League. After relocating to Qatar, he wore the jerseys of Al Arabi SC and Al Rayyan, winning several titles and earning recognition as one of the best opposite hitters in the region.

His brightest moment on the international stage came in 2021 when, with the Iranian national team, he won the gold medal at the Asian Championship and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Kazemi was known for his powerful attack, aggressive serve, and unyielding spirit – qualities that made him a symbol of the new generation of Iranian volleyball players.

Today, world volleyball lost not just a great talent, but also a person who inspired with his smile and dedication to the game.
Some Bulgarian media reported that Kazemi had played against Bulgaria in the VNL at the tournament in Gdańsk, where Bulgaria lost its last match to Iran. On the official website of volleyballworld, his name does not appear as a participant in that tournament.