IPC Honours Five Trailblazers with the 2025 Classification Recognition Award
Elsa Matthee, Prof. Datuk Dr Rokiah Omar, the Frame Running Research Team, Dušana Augustovičová PhD and Dr. Jürgen Schwittai each received this year’s Classification Recognition Award for their significant contribution to classification within the Paralympic Movement. 24 Oct 2025
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) proudly celebrated five outstanding individuals and teams at the 2025 IPC Classification Recognition Award Ceremony, held at the IPC Campus in Bonn, Germany, on Friday (24 October). Elsa Matthee, Prof. Datuk Dr Rokiah Omar, the Frame Running Research Team, Dušana Augustovičová PhD and Dr. Jürgen Schwittai each received this year’s awards for their significant contribution to classification within the Paralympic Movement.
Award recipients were selected following an open and rigorous nomination process. Nominations towards researchers, classifiers, and Heads of Classification were received from across the Paralympic community.
IPC’s Director of Classification, Tea Cisic said: “Classification is the foundation of fair competition in Para sport, and this year’s award recipients have gone above and beyond in strengthening that foundation. Their work, whether in research, education, leadership or hands-on delivery of classification, has elevated standards and expanded opportunities for athletes globally. We are proud to recognise their dedication and impact.”
2025 Award Recipients
Elsa Matthee
A veteran classifier with over 30 years of service, Matthee has shaped classification in boccia and the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association, serving as Head of Classification and board member for World Boccia. Her leadership and mentorship have influenced countless classifiers worldwide, with many of today’s active professionals having been directly trained by her.
Prof. Datuk Dr. Rokiah Omar
A dedicated classifier in vision impairment classification across Para sports, Dr. Omar has led classification efforts across Asia, serving as Chairperson of the Medical Sports Science Committee at the Asian Paralympic Committee (AsPC) and Head of Classification for the International Blind Sports Federation. She was part of the team that developed AsPC athlete classification rules, which have been implemented in over 40 countries across the region. Her academic and practical contributions have advanced classification for athletes with vision impairment.
Frame Running Research Team
Comprising Craig Carscadden PLY, Dr. Marietta van der Linden, Nicola Tennant, and Dr. Martine Verheul, this team has revolutionised classification for athletes with high support needs. Their research and implementation work enabled over 70 athletes to be classified under a new evidence-based system, paving the way for inclusion of the event, and its Paralympic debut, at the LA28 Paralympic Games.
Dušana Augustovičová, PhD
Chair of the Para Karate Commission at the World Karate Federation, Augustovičová lead the development of the sport’s first classification system and continues to advance the sport. Her work spans education, research, and governance, including contributions to the Slovak Paralympic Committee and adaptive sport curriculum development.
Dr. Jürgen Schwittai
With over three decades of service, Dr. Schwittai has led classification in Para sailing, served on the IPC Classification Committee, and contributed to the IPC Code Review Team, bringing invaluable expertise and input specifically in respect to eligible impairments, Code implementation and classifier education. His dedication to Para sport, classification and education continues to impact athletes and classifiers worldwide.
The IPC Classification Recognition Award was established to honour those who exemplify leadership, innovation, and impact in classification. This year’s recipients demonstrated extraordinary commitment to advancing opportunities for Para athletes and created a long-lasting legacy in the field.
