Para-badminton explained

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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: "One Sport, One Team" BWF to govern Para-badminton . IWASF (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation) . 12 June 2019.
2. Web site: Para-badminton . Badminton World Federation . 31 August 2016.
3. Web site: World Championships (Para-badminton) . Badminton World Federation . 31 August 2016.
4. Web site: Borrie . Stuart . Alleyne . Gayle . Asian Para-Games 2014 – Prelude to Paralympics . bwfbadminton.com . 31 August 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160927002723/http://bwfbadminton.com/2014/10/30/asian-para-games-2014-prelude-to-paralympics/ . 27 September 2016 .
5. News: IPC announces final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme . 31 August 2016 . paralympic.org.