Para Badminton is a sport that is designed to accommodate individuals with physical disabilities. It has been included as an official event at the Paralympic Games since Tokyo 2020. Para Badminton follows the same rules and regulations as regular badminton, but with some adaptations to ensure that all players can compete on an even playing field. Para Badminton is open to athletes with a wide range of disabilities including those with physical, visual and intellectual impairments.
History of Para Badminton
The sport of Para Badminton has its roots in the late 1980s when it was introduced as a demonstration event at the Paralympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. The International Badminton Federation (IBF) began to recognise the event as an official international sport in 1995 and it was included in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Tokyo in 2020.
Para Badminton Classification System
In order to ensure that all players can compete on a level playing field, Para Badminton utilises a classification system to group players according to their level of impairment. The system is divided into three main categories: standing, wheelchair and visually impaired.
Standing:
The standing classification is for players who have no impairments that affect their ability to move or stand. This category includes players with physical impairments such as cerebral palsy or amputations.
Wheelchair:
The wheelchair category is for players who use wheelchairs as an aid to mobility. This category includes players with physical impairments such as spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy or amputations.
Visually Impaired:
The visually impaired category is for players who have a visual impairment that affects their ability to see the shuttlecock. This category includes players with conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts.
Para Badminton Rules
Para Badminton follows the same rules and regulations as regular badminton, but with some adaptations to ensure that all players can compete on an even playing field. The main differences between Para Badminton and regular badminton are in the scoring system, court rules and playing equipment.
Scoring System
In Para Badminton, players are awarded one point for every rally won, regardless of who served. The first player to reach 11 points wins the game, unless both players reach 10 points. In this case, the winner is the first player to reach a two-point lead.
Court Rules
In Para Badminton, the court size is slightly larger than in regular badminton, to allow for the use of wheelchairs. The playing area is divided into two sections, one for standing players and one for wheelchair players. The two sections are separated by a net that is slightly lower than the regular badminton net.
Playing Equipment
In Para Badminton, players can use a variety of equipment to assist them in playing the game. Standing players can use regular badminton racquets, while wheelchair players can use specially designed racquets that are larger and more stable. Visual impairment players can use audio-enabled shuttles, which emit a sound when they are hit.
Conclusion
Para Badminton is an inclusive sport that allows athletes of all levels of ability to compete on an even playing field. It follows the same rules and regulations as regular badminton, but with some adaptations to ensure that all players can enjoy the game. Para Badminton is open to athletes with a wide range of disabilities including those with physical, visual and intellectual impairments. The sport of Para Badminton has grown in popularity in recent years and is now an official event at the Paralympic Games.