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
editPlayers are classified to six[2] different classes determined by BWF:
Wheelchair
edit- 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
edit
- 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
edit- SH6
Players in this class have short stature caused by achondroplasia or other genetic conditions.
Competitions
editBWF 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 also featured at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.[5]
References
edit- ^ ""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.