Para-badminton

Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the main governing body for para-badminton starting from June 2011. The sport was governed by Para Badminton World Federation (PBWF) until a unanimous decision to join BWF during a meeting in Dortmund in June 2011.^[1]

Classification

Players are classified to six^[2] different classes determined by BWF:

Wheelchair

WH1
Players in this class are those who have impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function and require wheelchair to play

WH2
Players have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk and also require wheelchair

Standing

SL3
Players have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance

SL4
Players have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal impairment in walking/running balance (better walking/running compared to SL3)

SU5
Players have impairment of the upper limbs.

Short stature

SH6
Players in this class have short stature caused by achondroplasia or other genetic conditions.

Competitions

BWF organizes the bi-annual Para-badminton World Championships in odd numbered years and continental championships in even numbered years.^[3] Para-badminton also features in other multi sports events like the Asian Para Games^[4] and ASEAN Para Games.

Para-badminton will also feature at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.^[5]

References

^ ""One Sport, One Team" BWF to govern Para-badminton". IWASF (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation). Retrieved 12 June 2019.
^ "Para-badminton". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
^ "World Championships (Para-badminton)". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
^ Borrie, Stuart; Alleyne, Gayle. "Asian Para-Games 2014 – Prelude to Paralympics". bwfbadminton.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
^ "IPC announces final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme". paralympic.org. Retrieved 31 August 2016.