Helena Frye
Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with physical disabilities. The sport made its Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo in 2020 and will also feature in the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Para-badminton is governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Athletes are classified into six Sport Classes to ensure fairness in competition. Players requiring a wheelchair to play are classified as Wheelchair 1 (WH1) or Wheelchair 2 (WH2), depending on the extent of their impairments. Para-badminton is a growing sport that is attracting more participants each year and is played both competitively and socially.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Badminton World Federation (BWF) |
| Sport Classes | 6 |
| Wheelchair Classes | 2 (WH1, WH2) |
| Court Type (Wheelchair Singles and SL3) | Half |
| Court Type (SL4, SU5, SH6, Doubles) | Full |
| Net Height | Same for all classes |
| Wheelchair Requirements | Rear and front stabilisers |
| Debut in Paralympics | Tokyo 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
Para-badminton's Paralympic debut
Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. The sport has been contested internationally since the 1990s, with the first Para Badminton World Championships taking place in the Netherlands in 1998. The International Badminton Association for Disabled (IBAD), founded in 1995 in Stoke Mandeville, England, was the first governing body for the sport.
In 2011, the sport came under the governance of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which recognizes the BWF as the world governing body for Para-badminton. The BWF organizes the biennial Para-badminton World Championships in odd-numbered years and continental championships in even-numbered years.
Para-badminton made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The sport featured half-court and full-court matches, depending on the classification of the athletes. There are six classes in total, with four standing and two wheelchair classes. In the wheelchair singles and SL3 classes, a half court is used for play, with the area in front of the service line, near the net, marked as out of bounds. A full court is used for the SL4, SU5, and SH6 classes and all doubles matches. The height of the net remains the same for all classes.
The competition wheelchairs incorporate modifications for safety and performance, including a low backrest to avoid interfering with the player's movement and extra caster wheels at the rear to prevent the chair from overturning when the player reaches backward to hit the shuttlecock.
Para-badminton will also be included in the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, showcasing the sport's growing popularity and accessibility worldwide.
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Sport classes
Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. It is played on a rectangular court separated by a net with a shuttlecock, and players use a racquet to pass the shuttlecock from one side of the net to the other, aiming to force an error from the opponent to win a point. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the main governing body for para-badminton.
Athletes are classified into six categories or "sport classes" based on the type and severity of their impairment to ensure fairness in competition. These classifications group players with similar levels of physical ability so that athletes with different types and degrees of impairment can compete against each other fairly.
The six sport classes are:
- Wheelchair 1 (WH1): Players require a wheelchair to play and usually have impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function.
- Wheelchair 2 (WH2): Players in this class use a wheelchair and may have impairment in one or both lower limbs with minimal or no impairment of the trunk.
- Standing Lower 3 (SL3): Players in this class must play standing. They usually have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance.
- Standing Lower 4 (SL4): Players in this class play standing and may have impairment in one or both lower limbs with minimal impairment in walking/running balance. Their impairment is less severe than those in SL3.
- Standing Upper 5 (SU5): Players in this class have impairment in the upper limbs, which could be on either the playing or non-playing hand.
- Short Stature 6 (SH6): Players in this class have short stature due to a genetic condition, often referred to as "dwarfism". Their limbs function normally, but their reach is limited.
It is important to note that, as of 2016, a formal classification is not required to participate in national events. However, all participants entering international events will undergo formal classification during those events.
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Rules and regulations
Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. It is played by people of all genders and ages. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the main governing body for para-badminton. The sport is played according to the BWF's rules and regulations for able-bodied badminton, with some modifications.
- Equipment: Standard badminton equipment is used, with some modifications. The wheelchair may have a low backrest and extra caster wheels at the rear to prevent it from overturning. The player's body may be fixed to the wheelchair with a strap around the waist or across the thighs, or both. The player's feet must be fixed to the footrest of the wheelchair. The wheelchair must not have any electric or other devices to assist movement or steering. An amputee player may use a prosthetic limb in categories SL3, SL4, and WH, but not in category SU5. Any prosthetic limb must be the same length as the player's existing limb.
- Court and Scoring: Singles matches in wheelchair badminton are played on a half court, while doubles matches are played on a full court. The front service line to the net is always considered 'out'. The badminton court is 13.4 metres long and 6.1 metres wide. The net stands at 1.55 metres high, the same as in Olympic badminton. A match consists of the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. A point is scored every time there is a serve.
- Player Classification: Athletes are placed into six sport classes (two wheelchair classes and four standing classes) to ensure fairness in competition. Wheelchair athletes are classified into WH1 and WH2, depending on the level of impairment in their lower limbs and trunk function. Standing athletes are classified into SL3 and SL4 (lower impairment), SU5 (upper impairment), and SH6 (short stature).
- Striking the Shuttlecock: When striking the shuttlecock, some part of the player's torso must be in contact with the seat of the wheelchair. The player's feet should maintain contact with the footrest and must not touch the floor.
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Equipment
Para-badminton athletes use customised sports wheelchairs designed for agility and stability. These chairs may be made-to-measure, tailored to the user's physical requirements and allowing for adjustments. The standard materials for these chairs are lightweight aluminium or magnesium, with some more affordable options made from robust steel. A key feature is the rear supporting wheel, which may extend beyond the main wheels for added stability. The player's body is secured to the chair with an elastic belt or strap around the waist and/or thighs, with the feet attached to the footrest. It is important to note that the wheelchair must not have any electric or movement-assisting devices.
As for the racket, players tend to prefer lighter rackets that can be strung at high tension. Different types of strings are available, and feather shuttlecocks are used in competitions.
The court setup for para-badminton varies depending on the class of the players and whether it is a singles or doubles match. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) classifies players into six different classes based on their impairments and whether they require a wheelchair. In wheelchair singles and certain impairment classes, matches are played on a half court, with the area in front of the service line, near the net, considered out of bounds. For other classes and all doubles matches, a full court is used. The net height remains the same across all classes.
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Global participation
Para-badminton is a sport for everyone, attracting participants of all genders, ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds. It is open to athletes with physical impairments, who compete in men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles across 6 different sport classes. These sport classes ensure fairness in competition by grouping athletes based on their impairment levels and the impact on their performance. Wheelchair users fall under the WH1 and WH2 classes, with WH1 athletes typically having impairments in both lower limbs and trunk function, while WH2 athletes have lesser impairments than WH1 athletes.
The sport's global participation and development are overseen by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which aims to give every child the chance to play badminton. BWF's "One Sport – One Team" philosophy led to the creation of para-badminton, which made its Paralympic debut in Tokyo in 2020. The inclusion of para-badminton in the Paralympics has helped raise its visibility and promote it as a sport for all.
At the national level, organizations like Badminton Australia and Badminton Victoria Inc. play a crucial role in promoting and developing para-badminton. They work with state and territory associations, disability organizations, and sports bodies to increase participation and provide learning opportunities. For instance, Badminton Victoria Inc.'s Ability Para Badminton Club is dedicated to the participation and development of people with disabilities, welcoming players and their families, carers, and supporters.
To further integrate para-badminton globally, BWF has introduced initiatives such as the Para Badminton Participation Grant and the Wheelchair Support Programme. These programs aim to increase global participation, improve elite performance across all sport classes, and provide the necessary equipment support for national tournaments. With these efforts, para-badminton continues to grow and gain traction worldwide, offering an inclusive and accessible sporting experience for all.
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Frequently asked questions
Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. It made its Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo in 2020.
Para-badminton players are classified into "Sport Classes" to ensure fairness in competition. There are six Sport Classes, two of which require a wheelchair:
- WH1: Players in this class require a wheelchair to play badminton. They usually have impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function.
- WH2: Players in this class require a wheelchair to play badminton. They could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk.
It is essential that players have sports wheelchairs with rear and front stabilisers to prevent chairs from tipping backwards. No other adapted badminton equipment is required.
