Amanda Knapp
Para badminton is an indoor racket sport played by people with disabilities. It involves two opposing players or two pairs of players positioned on opposite halves of a court, separated by a net. The objective is to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over the net and score points by making it land in the opponent's half of the court. Para badminton debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with athletes from the Republic of China, Indonesia, and Japan making their mark. Asian para badminton players are now gearing up for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where China is expected to continue its dominance in the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 August 2024 onwards |
| Location | La Chapelle Arena, Paris |
| Number of athletes | 120 |
| Number of medal events | 16 |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Dominant team | China |
| Number of gold medals won by China at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics | 5 |
| Number of gold medals won by China at Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and 2024 World Para Championships in Bangkok | 13 |
| Top competitors from China | Qu Zimo, Liu Yutong, Li Fengmei, Yang Qiuxia, Xiao Zuxian |
| Top competitor from Hong Kong | Chu Man Kai |
| Top competitor from Indonesia | Leani Ratri Oktila |
| Top competitor from France | Lucas Mazur |
| Other competitors from France | Maud Lefort, Meril Loquette, Thomas Jakobs, David Toupe |
| Number of medals at Paris 2024 | 16 golds |
| Number of individual women's events | 6 |
| Number of individual men's events | 6 |
| Types of events | WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6, WH1-2 doubles, mixed doubles SL3-SU5 and SH6 |
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What You'll Learn
Para-badminton rules
Para-badminton is a modified version of badminton designed for athletes with physical and/or mental impairments. The rules and equipment are similar to traditional badminton, but with some modifications to accommodate different disabilities and ensure fair competition.
Para-badminton can be played by individuals or pairs, with players positioned on opposite halves of a rectangular court, separated by a net that stands at 1.55 metres high. The aim is to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over the net, landing it in the opponents' half of the court to score points. The shuttlecock is made of cork covered in goat skin with 16 goose feathers attached, or synthetic materials, and can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. A point is scored on every serve, and matches are played in a best-of-three format, with each game lasting up to 21 points.
Athletes in para-badminton are classified into six sporting classes based on their type and severity of impairment. These include:
- Wheelchair 1 (WH1): Players with impairments in both lower limbs and trunk function who play in a wheelchair.
- Wheelchair 2 (WH2): Players with impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no trunk impairment who may also use a wheelchair.
- Standing Lower SL 3: Players with standing impairment and poor walking balance due to impaired function in one or both lower limbs.
- Standing Lower SL 4: Players with a standing impairment but lesser impairment compared to SL 3, with minimal impairment in walking balance.
Para-badminton allows for certain assistive devices, such as prosthetics or wheelchairs, to be used during competition, ensuring that all athletes can compete at their highest level.
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Asian Para Games medal winners
At the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, India achieved its best-ever medal tally, winning 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze. This surpassed their previous record of 72 medals, including 15 gold, at the 2018 Asian Para Games.
Indian para-athletes also broke three world records in Hangzhou. Sundar Singh Gurjar and Sumit Antil set new world records in the men's javelin throw-F46 and F64 disciplines, respectively, with Antil's throw of 73.29m breaking his previous world record. The men's compound team accounted for the third world record.
In addition to these athletes, several others contributed to India's medal tally. For example, 16-year-old archer Sheetal won her third medal of the Games in the compound mixed team event. Pramod, a two-time world champion, is considered India's best-ever para-badminton player. Avani Lekhara added an Asian medal to her achievements, setting a new Asian Para Games record. Prachi won two medals, including gold in the para canoe.
Other notable Indian medalists include Suhas, who won gold in the men's SL4 final, improving on his bronze medal in 2018. Ankur became the first Indian to win two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Para Games, taking gold in the men's T11 1500m and 5000m races. Sidhartha Babu won gold in shooting, Rakshita defended her women's 1500m [T11] title, and Sachin and Neeraj set new Asian records in their respective events.
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Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, held from 28 August to 8 September 2024, marked the first time France hosted the summer Paralympic Games. The Games brought together approximately 4,400 athletes from across the globe, who competed in 549 medal events across 22 sports.
Para badminton, an indoor racket sport, was one of the 22 Paralympic sports recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The sport is played by two opposing players (singles) or two pairs (doubles), positioned on opposite halves of a court, separated by a net. Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock in the opponent's half of the court, and to win, players must secure two games of 21 points each, in a best-of-three format.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games showcased the progress of para sports, with Mariam Eniola Bolaji becoming the first African player to win a badminton medal at the Paralympic Games. The Games also featured impressive displays in wheelchair basketball, with the Netherlands' women's team claiming their second consecutive championship title.
The opening ceremony, directed by Thomas Jolly and choreographed by Alexander Ekman, was held outside a stadium for the first time, taking place at the Place de la Concorde. The ceremony, centred around the theme of "the human body and its paradoxes", was attended by dignitaries such as French President Emmanuel Macron, who officially opened the Games.
The Paralympic torch relay began in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom, on 24 August, and the torch arrived in France the following day, visiting 12 cities before the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron on 28 August. The cauldron featured a unique design, incorporating a ring of computerised LEDs and water aerosol spray dispensers, topped by a helium sphere resembling a hot air balloon, paying homage to the Montgolfier brothers' experiments.
With record ticket sales and the inclusion of iconic Parisian landmarks, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games celebrated the achievements of para-athletes and furthered the legacy of the Paralympic Movement, which began with Dr Ludwig Guttmann's organisation of the Stoke Mandeville Games for wheelchair athletes in 1948.
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Asian dominance in Para-badminton
Para-badminton is an indoor racket sport played by individuals or pairs on opposite halves of a court, separated by a net. The objective is to hit a shuttlecock back and forth and score points by landing it in the opponent's half of the court. Para-badminton debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and Asian nations dominated the sport. China topped the medal table with five gold medals, and their dominance continued at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and the 2024 World Para Championships in Bangkok, where they won 13 gold medals. Other Asian countries that performed well at the Tokyo Paralympics included Indonesia and the Republic of China.
Asian countries have historically excelled at badminton, and there are several reasons for this dominance. One factor is the popularity of the sport in the region. Badminton originated in British India, and Asian countries have invested significant time and resources into training, support, and infrastructure for badminton. China, in particular, focused on badminton when it was still a relatively new sport globally, allowing them to innovate and develop new techniques and tactics. They introduced the "high-five positive talks" concept in doubles play, which has since been widely adopted.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be the next major event for Para-badminton, with 16 gold medals up for grabs. Asian athletes are expected to continue their dominance, with strong contenders from China, such as Qu Zimo and Liu Yutong in the wheelchair events, and Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila, a double gold medallist from Tokyo 2020 and the 2024 Worlds. However, France's Lucas Mazur, the only non-Asian Para-badminton gold medallist at Tokyo 2020, will be a serious contender aiming to break Asia's hold on the sport.
The Asian dominance in Para-badminton at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and other recent competitions is a testament to the region's dedication to the sport. With the Paris 2024 Paralympics approaching, the world will witness if Asian athletes can maintain their leading positions or if other regions will rise to challenge their supremacy.
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Wheelchair events
Para badminton is an indoor racket sport played by individuals or pairs positioned on opposite halves of a court, separated by a net. Players hit a shuttlecock back and forth, aiming to score points by landing it in their opponent's half of the court. Para badminton debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, launching new stars from the Republic of China, Indonesia, and Japan. The sport is dominated by Asian nations, with China leading the way.
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, China's wheelchair athletes, Qu Zimo and Liu Yutong, showcased their skills, with Qu Zimo competing in the WH1 final. China's dominance continued at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where they collected 13 gold medals.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will feature 16 medal events, with 120 athletes competing across five days. The wheelchair events will include six individual women's and six individual men's events (WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6), as well as women's and men's WH1-2 doubles. This is two more medal events than at Tokyo 2020, with the addition of women's singles SL3, women's SH6, and SH6 mixed doubles.
Asian Para badminton players are gearing up to showcase their skills in Paris, with China expected to lead the medal charge once again. However, France's Lucas Mazur, the only non-Asian para badminton gold medallist at Tokyo 2020, will be a serious contender in the men's singles SL4 event. Mazur has three world titles to his name and will be aiming for gold on his home soil. France will also be represented by Maud Lefort (SU5), Meril Loquette (SU5), Thomas Jakobs (WH2), and David Toupe (WH1).
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Frequently asked questions
Para badminton is an indoor racket sport played by two opposing players (singles) or two pairs (doubles) positioned on opposite halves of a court separated by a net. Players aim to score points by hitting a shuttlecock and landing it in their opponent's half of the court.
There will be 16 gold medals up for grabs between 29 August and 2 September. This includes six individual women’s and six individual men’s events (WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6), as well as women’s and men’s WH1-2 doubles and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 and SH6.
China is expected to lead the medal table, having dominated previous para badminton events. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, the Chinese team topped the medal table with five gold medals. Their dominance continued at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and the 2024 World Para Championships in Bangkok, where they collected 13 gold medals.
