"Even though I look calm now..." The 202cm Iranian national team player who joined Woori Card promises a completely different scene on the court: "I will make fans scream even louder" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I may be quiet outside, but I become a completely different player the moment I step onto the court."

Martin Ahmadi (25, registered name Martin), the new Asian quota player for the Woori WON volleyball team of Woori Card, is ready to set Jangchung Arena ablaze.

In a recent meeting with StarNews at the Woori Card club house near Songnim Gymnasium in Incheon Metropolitan City, Martin introduced himself: "I may look calm now, but I am completely different on the court. I am a player who always shouts and fights like crazy while playing."

The reason Woori Card brought in Martin is clear: to minimize the void left in the middle of the court after national team middle blocker Lee Sang-hyun (27) enlisted in the Army Sports Promotion Team (Sangmu).

Last season, after the conclusion of Round 3, Woori Card switched to a system led by interim coach Park Cheol-woo (41), achieving 14 wins and 4 losses with a winning percentage of 77.7%, surging dramatically to qualify for the spring playoffs in a dramatic fashion. However, after the season ended, outside hitter Ali Hagparast (22), who was an Asian quota player, left the team, and Lee Sang-hyun also enlisted, causing two key players to depart simultaneously.

Woori Card's choice was to firmly fill one position. Coach Park Cheol-woo previously told StarNews: "It was not easy to find an outside hitter who could replace Ali within the Asian quota budget. With Lee Sang-hyun also leaving, we decided to secure at least one position solidly. We needed a reliable pillar to carry us through the long regular season, and when minimizing power loss was considered, we judged that a middle blocker was the best option."

As a result, Martin was selected. He is a 202cm tall middle blocker who has played in Iran's Super League. His strengths are fast attacks utilizing high contact points and blocking. In 2025, he represented the Iranian national team at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), gaining experience on the international stage.

A Woori Card official also evaluated him at the time of signing: "He is a player with excellent height, stable fast attacks, and strong blocking ability. We expect him to add stability in both offense and defense."

When Martin described his own style, the word 'energy' was never absent. He said: "My personality during games is completely different from my usual self. On the court, I try to be very fighting and actively engage." He added: "As a middle blocker, I want to be a player who gives his best every moment in fast attacks and blocking."

His first impression of life in Korea is also better than expected. Having been in Korea for about a month, Martin smiled: "I really like and am satisfied with life in Korea. I have gone out and feel that Korea is much better than I expected."

His impression of the team is also positive. Although his participation in full-scale volleyball training has been limited as he works on improving his physical condition, he has consistently watched his teammates' training sessions.

Martin said: "The composition of young players and experienced players is well balanced. I was impressed by how the players always give their best." He added: "Training volume and intensity are high now, making it difficult, but it is a pleasant kind of difficulty. I am satisfied."

Although he has come to a strange league, he did not seek special advice. Despite several Iranian players having experienced the V-League in the past, Martin chose to face it head-on himself. He explained: "I watched some game videos before coming to Korea, but I did not ask other players separately. I thought experiencing it firsthand was best." He added: "Right now, I am focusing on how our team plays compared to other teams and what I need to do."

Instead, he is receiving much help from Araujo, who experienced the V-League last year. Martin said: "The most frequent conversation Araujo and I have is about injecting more energy into our team. We often say we should push each other to be more fighting."

Adaptation off the court is also going smoothly. He enjoys eating bibimbap and noodle dishes, and recently tried Korean-style fried chicken and seasoned chicken for the first time. Although he does not eat pork, he fearlessly challenges other Korean foods, including octopus.

Now, what Martin is most looking forward to is the moment he meets fans at Jangchung Gymnasium. Through home game videos from last season, he has already confirmed the passionate support of the fans.

Martin said: "In any sport, fan energy is extremely important. I will keep asking fans to shout even louder while I play." He added with emphasis: "When there is more energy on the court, it becomes easier to run through the game and helps in winning. I want to fight together with the fans."

Even when the reporter mentioned that the atmosphere at Jangchung Gymnasium might be much hotter than he imagined, Martin's response was unhesitating.

"I like it even more. That atmosphere is truly what I am looking forward to."

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*This content was translated by AI.