Para badminton
Badminton is a Paralympic sport. Badminton made its Paralympic Games debut in at Tokyo 2020 and will also be on the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games programme. The BWF is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The IPC recognises the BWF as the world governing body for Para badminton.
Badminton is a sport for all, an accessible sport for boys and girls, men and women and for people with a physical impairment. Badminton is a sport for everyone. BWF is responsible for regulating, promoting and developing Para badminton globally.
BWF promotes a “one sport – one team” philosophy – badminton and Para badminton together.
Para badminton Sport Classes / Events
As in badminton, Para badminton athletes compete in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Athletes are classified into “Sport Classes” to ensure fairness in competition. In Para badminton there are six Sport Classes.
Wheelchair 1 WH 1
Players in this class requires a wheelchair to play badminton. Players in this Sport Class usually have impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function.
Wheelchair 2 WH 2
A player in this class could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk. Players are required to play on a wheelchair in this class.
Standing Lower SL 3
In this class a player must play standing. The player could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance.
Standing Lower SL 4
A second standing class where the player has a lesser impairment compared to Sport Class SL 3. The player could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal impairment in walking/running balance.
Standing Upper SU 5
The players in this class has impairment of the upper limbs. The impairment could be on the playing or non
playing hand.
Short Stature SH 6
These are players who have a short stature due to a genetic condition often referred to as “dwarfism”.
Find out more about Para badminton by visiting the BWF (Badminton World Federation)
