Para-badminton

Para-badminton is a variant of badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the main governing body for para-badminton starting from June 2011. The sport was governed by Para Badminton World Federation (PBWF) until a unanimous decision to join BWF during a meeting in Dortmund in June 2011.^[1]In the wheelchair singles and SL3 classes a half court is used for play, with the area in front of the service line, near to the net, out of bounds. A full court is used for the SL4, SU5 and SH6 classes and all doubles matches. The height of the net is the same for all classes.

David Toupé, one of para-badminton players from WH1 class.

Classification

Players are classified to six^[2] different classes determined by BWF:

Wheelchair

• WH1
  Players in this class are those who have impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function and require wheelchair to play

• WH2
  Players have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk and also require wheelchair

Standing

Bartłomiej Mróz, one of para-badminton players from SU5 class.

• SL3
  Players have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance

• SL4
  Players have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal impairment in walking/running balance (better walking/running compared to SL3)

• SU5
  Players have impairment of the upper limbs.

Short stature

• SH6
  Players in this class have short stature caused by achondroplasia or other genetic conditions.

Competitions

BWF organizes the bi-annual Para-badminton World Championships in odd numbered years and continental championships in even numbered years.^[3] Para-badminton also features in other multi sports events like the Asian Para Games^[4] and ASEAN Para Games.

Para-badminton also featured at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.^[5]

When it was introduced

Para badminton has been contested internationally since the 1990s