Sport Week: Classification in Para badminton

Para badminton events include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Athletes are classified into six categories depending on the severity of their impairment, and compete against those in their own category:

WH 1 (wheelchair/severe impairment): Athletes in this class require a wheelchair and usually have an impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function.

WH 2 (wheelchair/minor impairment): Athletes here have an impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk.

SL 3 (standing/lower limb impairment/minor): In this class, an athlete must play standing and could have an impairment in one or both lower limbs, and poor movement balance.

SL 4 (standing/lower limb impairment/severe): Players here have a lesser impairment than those in SL 3. They could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal impairment in walking/running balance.

SU 5 (standing/upper limb impairment): The player has an impairment of the upper limbs.

SH 6 (standing/short stature): These are athletes who have a short stature due to a genetic condition often referred to as “dwarfism”.