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Para-badminton is a Paralympic-recognised sport that made its Games debut in Tokyo in 2020. The sport includes six classifications, with athletes with short stature competing in their own class, and other impairment types competing against each other in groups based on whether they play in a wheelchair or standing, and whether the impairment is in the upper or lower limbs. In England, Badminton England offers a range of opportunities for players with disabilities to get involved in the sport, from junior championships to the UK Para Badminton Championships, the pinnacle tournament domestically for players with physical disabilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Para badminton debut in England | Tokyo Paralympics 2020 |
| Governing body | Badminton World Federation |
| Badminton England membership benefits | Comprehensive insurance, priority access tickets, exclusive communications and offers |
| Badminton England Disability Junior Championships | For junior players aged 9-16 with physical disabilities, including wheelchair users |
| Badminton England Disability Badminton Competition | Includes all 6 BWF classifications – WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5 and SH6 |
| Para badminton competition categories | Men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles |
| Game rules | Best of three sets, with each set won by the first player to score 21 points; scoring reaches an upper limit of 30 points |
| Para badminton players in Tokyo Paralympics 2020 | Daniel Bethell (SL3), Martin Rooke (WH2), Jack Shephard (SH6) and Krysten Coombs (SH6) |
| Para badminton players in Paris Paralympics 2024 | Four players selected for ParalympicsGB badminton squad |
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What You'll Learn
Para-Badminton's Paralympic debut
Para-badminton made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, joining wheelchair tennis and table tennis as one of three racket sports. The sport has been played internationally since the 1990s, with the first Para-badminton World Championships taking place in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, in 1998. Founded in 1995 in Stoke Mandeville, England, the International Badminton Association for Disabled (IBAD) was the first governing body for Para-badminton. In 2011, the sport came under the governance of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Para-badminton is the fastest racket sport at the Paralympics, with athletes competing in singles and doubles events, hitting a shuttlecock over the net without their opponent returning it to score points. Players can catch their opponents out with a variety of shots, including clear shots, drop shots, lift shots, or smashes. Matches follow a best-of-three format, with each set won by the first player or team to reach 21 points in two games. After the score reaches 19 points, a side must be two points clear to win. If the score reaches 30-29, the match can be won at this score. Points are scored when a player wins a rally, and the player who wins the point also secures the serve.
Athletes are divided into six classes before they compete internationally: four standing and two wheelchair. Depending on the category, the size of the court can be adapted; for instance, in wheelchair singles matches, half of the regular court is used, with the area in front of the service line, near the net, out of bounds. There are also modifications to competition wheelchairs to aid players, such as low backrests to avoid interfering with their movement and extra caster wheels to prevent the chair from overturning when the player reaches backward to hit the shuttlecock.
Para-badminton will also be part of the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
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Badminton England's Disability Junior Championships
The Disability Junior Championships feature six Badminton World Federation (BWF) para-badminton classifications: WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, and SH6. These classifications group athletes based on their impairment type and whether they compete in a wheelchair or standing position. Para-badminton made its Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo in 2020 and has since grown in popularity.
Badminton England has developed a network of Regional Disability Coaches across eight regions: North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands, East, South Central, London & South East, and South West. These coaches support the delivery of the Disability Junior Championships by managing and coaching regional teams. They also facilitate regional activities and training days for players aspiring to represent their region in the championships.
The Disability Junior Championships offer a friendly and social environment for competitive scored games. It provides an excellent opportunity for players to develop their skills and gain competitive experience. The event also includes free 'come and try' badminton sessions, introducing players with physical or learning disabilities to the sport in a non-competitive setting.
Badminton England works closely with national and local providers to offer playing opportunities across England's 22,000 badminton courts. The organisation offers memberships for players, coaches, and clubs, providing benefits such as comprehensive insurance, priority access tickets, and exclusive communications and offers.
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Para-Badminton classifications
Para-Badminton is the internationally and Paralympically recognised category of badminton for athletes with disabilities. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is responsible for creating and implementing the rules and regulations that govern the Paralympic badminton classification system.
The classification process determines eligibility to compete in Paralympic sports and groups athletes according to their activity limitations. There are six classes in total, depending on the type and severity of impairment. For tournaments with categories for learning-disabled players, athletes will be eligible if they have an IQ of 75 or less.
Classification takes place one or two days before a competition, and participation in the competition is required to complete the classification. The evaluation process consists of a physical assessment, a technical assessment, a provisional sport class allocation, and observation in competition. Athletes must have the appropriate medical documentation to request international classification.
Badminton England is actively encouraging clubs to become more inclusive. They work with a wide range of national and local providers to offer more chances for everyone to play badminton in their area. They also have a newly developed Inclusion Hub, a network of resources designed to support clubs and coaches to deliver badminton in a more inclusive manner.
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Team GB's Paralympics history
Team GB has a rich history of participation and success at the Paralympic Games, with a presence at every edition of the summer Paralympics since the very beginning. The UK was one of the first nations to recognise and support paralympic sport, and this commitment to inclusion and representation has continued throughout the years.
At the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, a small team of 25 athletes represented Great Britain, competing across a range of sports including archery, athletics, swimming, and table tennis. Despite the relatively small scale of these early Games, the British team made a significant impact, finishing second in the medal table with a total of 27 medals, including 10 golds. This set the tone for future Games, as Team GB established itself as a consistent presence in the top 10 medal-winning nations.
Over the years, the size and scope of the Paralympic Games have grown exponentially, and so too has Team GB's participation. At the most recent Paralympics in Tokyo 2020, a record-breaking 227 British athletes took part across 19 sports, showcasing the depth and diversity of paralympic talent in the country. The Tokyo Games also marked a significant milestone as the most successful summer Paralympics for Team GB in terms of medal count, with a total of 124 medals, including 41 golds, placing them second in the overall medal table.
Badminton made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and Team GB made its mark in this new sport, with four athletes competing across various events. Among them was Daniel Bethell, who won a silver medal in the men's singles SL3 event, becoming the first British medalist in Paralympic badminton. The other athletes, Jack Shephard, Krysten Coombs, and Rachel Choong, also put up strong performances, with Choong reaching the quarter-finals in the women's singles WH2 event.
Looking back, one of the standout moments in Team GB's Paralympic history came at the London 2012 Paralympics, which was a landmark event for Paralympic sport in the country. The Games captured the imagination of the public, with record ticket sales and a huge audience tuning in to watch on television. Team GB thrived under the home crowd advantage, achieving their best medal haul at the time, with a total of 120 medals, including 34 golds, and finishing second in the medal table. The success of London 2012 left a significant legacy, inspiring a generation of athletes and helping to secure greater funding and support for Paralympic sport in the UK.
As we look ahead to the Paris 2024 Paralympics and beyond, Team GB's commitment to excellence and inclusion in paralympic sport remains unwavering. The nation continues to produce world-class athletes across a diverse range of disciplines, ensuring that the future of Paralympic sport in Great Britain is bright.
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Formats and rules
Para-badminton made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, joining wheelchair tennis and table tennis as one of three racket sports. The sport follows the same scoring format as Olympic badminton, with athletes competing in men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
Para-badminton is played indoors with a net across the middle of the court. A match consists of the best of three sets, with each set won by the first player or team to score 21 points. After the score reaches 19 points, a side must win by two clear points. The scoring reaches an upper limit of 30 points, so a game can be won at 30-29. Points are scored when a player or team wins a rally, and the winner of the point secures the next serve.
There are six sport classes in para-badminton, with athletes grouped according to their impairment type and whether they play in a wheelchair or standing. The classes are:
- WC1: For athletes who compete in a wheelchair and have a significant impairment of the lower limbs, and minimal to moderate impairment of the upper limbs or trunk.
- WC2: For athletes who compete in a wheelchair and have a significant impairment of the lower limbs, but no to minimal impairment of the upper limbs or trunk.
- SL3: For athletes who compete standing and have a significant impairment of the lower limbs. In wheelchair singles and SL3 classes, a half court is used for play, with the area in front of the service line out of bounds.
- SL4: For athletes who compete standing and have a moderate impairment of the lower limbs.
- SU5: For athletes who compete standing and have an impairment of the upper limbs, which can be on the playing or non-playing arm.
- SH6: For athletes with short stature.
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. It is struck with a racquet and must be hit within the boundaries of the court and before it touches the floor or ground. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net.
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Frequently asked questions
Para badminton is a category of badminton for athletes with physical disabilities. It made its Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo in 2020.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has six para-badminton classifications: WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, and SH6.
Para badminton follows the same rules as Olympic badminton. A match consists of the best of three sets, with each set won by the first player to score 21 points. After the score reaches 19 points, a side must win by two points. If the score reaches 30 points, the game ends even if one side hasn't won by two points. Points are scored when a player wins a rally, and the winner of the point serves next. In the wheelchair singles and SL3 classes, a half court is used, and the area in front of the service line is out of bounds.
You can visit the websites of Badminton England and the English Badminton Association for Disabled (EBAD) to learn about para badminton festivals, competitions, and sessions for players with physical or learning disabilities.
