Maryam Salehizadeh

Maryam Salehizadeh made her Canadian debut at the 2019 Parapan Am Games helping her new homeland win the bronze medal.

She’s been on the team ever since, including two major events since then, the 2020 Paralympics Games and the 2022 World Championships.

Salehizadeh was born in Tehran, Iran. She was born visually impaired and began playing goalball at her high school in Tehran. Salehizadeh joined Iran’s first ever national women’s goalball team and played with the team for 10 years. In addition, she also coached high school goalball in Tehran for seven years. Salehizadeh was known to be one of the best athletes in Iran and was named “Best Offensive” player at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Para Games.

Salehizadeh has always had a burning desire to compete in goalball at the highest level internationally, however living in Iran made that dream impossible. In 2016, Salehizadeh made the decision to pursue her athletic desires and immigrate to Vancouver, Canada as a refugee. In 2019 she became a permanent resident of Canada allowing her to join the Canadian women’s goalball team. 

Salehizadeh has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports management from the University of Tehran.