1. AN INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIFICATIONBY
Pam Carey
National USP Classifier

2. FAIR & EQUAL COMPETITION
Para-athletes are placed in categories for competition based on their impairment – these are called sport classes
The IPC classification system determines which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together for competition

3. CLASSIFICATION IS SPORT SPECIFIC
In para-sport, athletes are grouped by the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment
Different sports require athletes to perform different activities, such as: sprinting, propelling a wheelchair, rowing, and shooting.
As sports require different activities, the impact of the impairment of each sport also differs

4. 3 STEPS TO CLASSIFICATION
Athletes are classified by classifiers who work together in a classification panel of 2 or 3
International classifiers are trained and certified by the International Federation
When evaluating an athlete, the classification panels always consider the following 3 questions:
Does the athlete have an eligible impairment for the sport?
Does the athlete’s eligible impairment meet the minimum disability criteria of the sport?
Which sport class describes the athlete’s activity limitation most accurately?

5. 10 ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENT TYPES
Impaired muscle power
Impaired passive range of movement
Limb deficiency
Leg length difference
Short stature
Hypertonia
Ataxia
Athetosis
Visual impairment
Intellectual impairment

6. MINIMUM DISABILITY CRITERIA
Each sport’s Paralympic classification rules describe how severe an eligible impairment must be for an athlete to be considered eligible
These criteria are referred to as minimum disability criteria
MDC could be a maximum height for short stature, or a level of amputation for athletes with limb deficiency
As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria in one sport, but not in another

7. SPORT CLASS
If an athlete is eligible for a sport, the classification panel will assess which sport class the athlete will compete in.
A sport class groups athletes with a similar activity limitation together for competition, so that they can compete equitably.
Sport classes are different by sport
If different impairments cause similar activity limitation, they may be allowed to compete together
Some sports only have one sport class
World Para Athletics has 52 sport classes

8. SUMMER PARALYMPIC SPORTS
TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC GAMES
will feature 22 sports

9. ARCHERY CLASSIFICATION
W1: Wheelchair class because impairment includes loss of leg and trunk function; arms may show a loss of muscular strength, co-ordination or range of movement (tetraplegia)
Open: Previously W2 and ST
May have strong activity limitations in trunk and legs and competes in wheelchair (paraplegia) or standing and may require some support because of poor balance

10. ATHLETICS (TRACK & FIELD) CLASSIFICATION
Blind/VI: T/F 11-13
Intellectual Impairment: T/F 20
CP, Stroke, TBI (hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis):
Seated: T/F 32-34
Standing: T/F 35-38
Amputee/Les Autres
Short stature: F 40-41
Lower limb: T/F (with prosthesis T/F 61-64)
Upper limb: T/F 45-47
Spinal Cord Injury:
Track: T (Quad), T (Para)
Field: F (Quad), F (Para)

11. BADMINTON CLASSIFICATION
Wheelchair: WH1-WH2
WH1: impairment in both lower limbs & trunk & possibly impaired hand function (high SCI)
WH2: impairment in one or both lower limbs & minimal or no impairment of trunk
Standing: SL3-SL6
SL3: impairment in one or both lower limbs & poor walking/running balance
SL4: lesser impairment than SL3, runs faster & has better balance
SL5: impairment in upper limbs only
SL6: short stature

12. BOCCIA CLASSIFICATION
BC1: severe activity limitation affecting legs, arms, & trunk due to co-ordination impairments; can grasp & throw; can propel ball with foot
BC2: better trunk control & arm function; can throw the ball overhead & underhand with a variety of grasps
BC3: significant limited function in arm & legs & poor or no trunk control due to cerebral or non-cerebral origins; uses a ramp & other assistive devices
BC4: non-CP impairments (MD, SCI, Amputations affecting all 4 limbs); may use glove to sustain grip
BC5: new class combining cerebral origin or non-cerebral origin; this is a US only class
Open: player with a physical disability that does not meet Paralympic eligibility

13. CANOE CLASSIFICATION
All have a physical impairment and are grouped in 3 sport classes:
KL1: none or very limited trunk and no leg function
KL2: partial trunk & leg function; able to sit upright in kayak
KL3: has trunk & partial leg function; able to sit with trunk in forward flexed position; able to use at least one leg/prosthesis

14. CYCLING CLASSIFICATION
Tricycle:
T1-more significant co-ordination problems or loss of muscle power
T2-lesser co-ordination problems or loss of muscle power
Bicycle:
C1-most severe activity limitation
C2-less severe activity limitation
C3-double below knee amputee who uses prostheses
C4-single below knee amputation who uses a prosthesis
C5-meets minimum impairment criteria

15. CYCLING CLASSIFICATION - continued
Handcycling: (reclined position)
H1-complete loss of trunk & leg function & limited arm function (SCI)
H2-less impaired than H1
H3-less impaired than H2
H4-no leg function, but good trunk & arm function
H5-sits on knees & can use arms & trunk (leg amputations, paraplegia, mild-moderate athetosis or ataxia)

16. EQUESTRIAN CLASSIFICATION
Grade I – severe impairments affecting all limbs & trunk (w/c user)
Grade Ib – severe impairment of trunk & minimal impairment of upper limbs or moderate impairment of all limbs & trunk (usually w/c user)
Grade II – severe impairments in both lower limbs & minimal or no impairment of trunk or moderate impairment of all limbs & trunk (sometime w/c user)
Grade III – severe impairment or deficiency of both upper limbs or moderate impairment of all 4 limbs or short stature (able to walk); also includes those having a visual impairment equivalent to B1 with very low visual acuity and no light perception

17. FOOTBALL 5-A-SIDE CLASSIFICATION
Visual Impairment except for goal keeper
Players with B1 sports class with very low visual acuity and/or no light perception.
All but goal keeper must wear eye shades
Each team has a sighted, able-bodied goal keeper, who does not have to undergo classification

18. GOALBALL CLASSIFICATION
Visual Impairments only
B1 – very low visual acuity and/or no light perception
B2 – higher visual acuity than B1 and/or visual field of <5 degrees radius
B3 – least severe visual impairment with highest visual acuity and/or visual
field of <20 degrees radius
RULE – ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR EYESHADES DURING THE GAME

19. JUDO CLASSIFICATION Visual Impairments only
B1 – very low visual acuity and/or no light perception
B2 – higher visual acuity than B1 and/or visual field of <5 degrees radius
B3 – least severe visual impairment; highest visual acuity and/or visual field
of <20 degrees radius
RULE – ALL COMPETE TOGETHER

20. POWERLIFTING CLASSIFICATION
Open for athletes with any of the 8 physical impairments:
Impaired Muscle Power, Impaired Passive Range of Movement, Limb Deficiency, Ataxia, Athetosis, Hypertonia, Short Stature, Leg Length Difference
Examples of minimum disability: amputation through or above ankle, stiffness of the knee joint
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON ATHLETE’S WEIGHT

21. ROWING CLASSIFICATION
AS – minimal or no leg or trunk function (SCI)
TA – good trunk & arm function (bilateral knee amputation)
LTA-PD – able to use legs, trunk, & arms (MDC – missing 3 fingers on one hand or one foot amputation
LTA-VI – visual impairment
B1-very low visual acuity and/or no light perception
B2-higher visual acuity, visual field of <5 degrees radius
B3-highest visual acuity, visual field of <20 degrees radius

22. SHOOTING CLASSIFICATION
SH1 (Pistol) – those with upper and/or lower limb impairments
SH1 (Rifle) – those with lower limb impairments
SH2 – Rifle events only – those with upper limb impairments which necessitates them to use a shooting stand to support the rifle); may also have a lower limb impairment

23. SITTING VOLLEYBALL CLASSIFICATION
D – “Disabled” – above knee amputations; impairments affecting the lower and upper limbs, causing stiffness of joints or shortening of extremities
MD – “Minimally Disabled” – less severe (example: amputation through the foot)

24. SWIMMING CLASSIFICATION
Physical Impairment
S1 SB1 - significant loss of muscle power or control in legs, arms, & hands (uses w/c)
S2 SB1 - relies on arms for swimming; limited hand, trunk, & leg function
S3 SB2 - amputations of both arms & legs
S4 SB3 - unable to use trunk or legs; amputations of 3 limbs
S5 SB4 - short stature plus an additional impairment; hemiplegia or paraplegia
S6 SB5 - short stature; amputations of both arms; moderate co-ordination problems on one side
S7 SB6 - amputation of one leg and one arm on opposite sides; paralysis of one arm and one leg on the same side
S8 SB7 - amputation of one arm; hip, knee, and ankle joint restrictions
S9 SB8 - joint restrictions in one leg or double BK amputation
S10 SB9- minimal disability (loss of one hand or movement restriction in one hip joint)
Visual Impairment
S/SB11 – very low visual acuity and/or no light perception (must wear blackened goggles, and uses a tapper)
S/SB12 – higher v/a and/or visual field of <5 degrees radius (may use tapper)
S/SB13 – least severe visual impairment with highest v/a and v/f of <20 degrees radius
Intellectual Impairment
S/SB14 – difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory

25. TABLE TENNIS CLASSIFICATION
Sitting Classes
1 – no sitting balance & a significant affected playing arm
2 – no sitting balance & playing arm is moderately affected
3 – better sitting balance with full hand & arm function (SCI or CP)
4 – some sitting balance and fully functional arms and hands
5 – normal sitting balance, arm & hand function and good trunk (lower SCI)
Standing Classes
6 – impairment affecting both arms & legs and balance (ataxia, athetosis, hypertonia)
7 – significant impairments of both lets or the playing arm (double AE amputation)
8 – moderate impairment of legs or moderately affected playing arm (polio)
9 – mild impairments affecting legs or playing arm (stiff knee, restricted elbow); significant impairments in the non-playing arm
10- mild impairments; short stature (stiff ankle or stiff wrist of playing arm)
Intellectual Impairment
11- difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory, or slower reaction time

26. TAEKWONDO CLASSIFICATION
Athletes compete standing with full use of their legs
K41 – loss of upper limbs resulting in decreased kicking power
K42 – shortening or loss of one arm AE, or 2 shortened arms
K43 – loss or shortening of both arms BE
K44 – minimum loss of one hand through wrist or an equivalently shortened arm
RULES: NO HEAD KICKS AND NO POINTS AWARDED FOR PUNCHES

27. TRIATHLON CLASSIFICATION
Wheelchair:
PT1 – swim, cycles using handcycle, races using racing wheelchair
Ambulant:
PT2 – severe activity limitations (single AK amputation, double BK amputation, significant combined upper & lower limb loss of strength, hemiplegia, severe CP)
PT3 – moderate activity limitations (through shoulder amputation, loss of ROM in one arm, moderate combined upper & lower limb loss of strength, moderate ataxia or athetosis)
PT4 – mild activity limitations (single BE amputation, single BK amputation, partial loss of arm strength, lower limb deficiency, mild ataxia or athetosis)
Visual Impairment:
PT5 – swim, ride tandem cycle, run with guide (meet criteria for B1 sport class); B1, B2, B3 compete together in one event

28. WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLASSIFICATION
Allocated one of 8 sport classes from 1.0 to 4.5
Sport class 1.0 describes most significant activity limitation
All compete in wheelchair, but not all are wheelchair users in daily life
All have an impairment affecting their legs or feet
Most have normal arm and hand function
Main differences in class are trunk control and sitting balance
1.0 – no trunk control
2.0 – can lean forward & rotate body to some extent 2.5
3.0 – can fully rotate and lean forward, but not to the sides 3.5
4.0 – same as above, but can partially lean to sides as well
4.5 – no restrictions in trunk rotation or leaning forward or sideways (foot amputation or a 6 cm leg length difference)
RULE: EACH TEAM ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE 14 POINTS ON COURT AT THE SAME TIME

29. WHEELCHAIR FENCING CLASSIFICATION
All have impairment of legs or feet
All compete in wheelchair that are locked down
Athletes rely on moving upper body
Category A – good trunk control; able to bend forward and sideways explosively; fully functional fencing arm; not all use wheelchair in daily life
Category B – have impairments that impact legs, as well as trunk or fencing arm; supports trunk movement with non-fencing arm (tetraplegia)

30. WHEELCHAIR RUGBY CLASSIFICATION
Originally designed for those with tetraplegia, but now includes players with other impairments that cause limited arm and leg function.
7 sport classes: 0.5 – 3.5 with 0.5 being the most significant activity limitation
0.5 – limited function in shoulder, arms & hands 1.0
1.5 – fair arm function, instability in wrist, some asymmetrical arm
function
2.5 – good shoulder stability and arm function; some trunk control; can
flex fingers
3.5 – good arm & hand function; some trunk function; high and upright
sitting position; double AK amputation and loss of fingers and hand
surface on both sides; can perform on-handed and long-distance passes
RULES: 4 PLAYERS PER TEAM & NO MORE THAN 8 POINTS ON COURT PER TEAM

31. WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CLASSIFICATION
Paralympic Classification
Open – significant and permanent impairment of one or both legs and normal arm function (paraplegia or leg amputations)
Quad – impairment affecting their playing arm as well as their legs
National/Regional Player Descriptions
Open Division - excellent chair mobility with intensive training for competition at the national and international levels
A Player – solid chair mobility
B Player – good chair mobility
C Player – learning consistent chair mobility
D Player – slow, inconsistent chair mobility
Quad Division – weak and/or limited arm strength; can use taping or a gripping device to secure the racquet in their hand and forearm

32. WINTER PARALYMPIC SPORTS

33. ALPINE SKIING CLASSIFICATION
Standing Skiers (Leg Impairments): LW1-LW4
Standing Skiers (Arm Impairments): LW5-LW9
Sit Skiers (leg and balance impairments): LW10-LW12
VI Skiers (guide skis in front VI athlete): B1-B3

34. NORDIC SKIING CLASSIFICATION
BIATHLON CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Standing Skiers
Leg Impairments Arm Impairments
LW2-one leg impaired LW5/7-both arms impaired
LW3-both legs impaired LW6-one arm impaired (AE)
LW4-impairment in lower part of one leg LW8-one arm moderate (BE) LW9-impairment in both arms & legs
Sit Skiers
LW10-unable to sit without support LW10.5-limited trunk control
LW11-leg impairment; fair trunk control LW11.5-near to normal trunk
LW12-leg impairment but normal trunk control; eligible to stand or sit
Visually Impaired Skiers
B1- blind; uses guide B2-B3-higher visual acuity; guide is optional

35. ICE HOCKEY CLASSIFICATION
Also known as Sled Hockey
Must have impairment in lower part of body that would prevent them from competing in able body ice hockey
Possible Disabilities include:
Amputation, stiffness of knee or ankle joint, leg length difference of 7 cm

36. SNOWBOARD CLASSIFICATION
SB-LL1 – significant impairment in one leg (AK) or significant combined impairment in both legs (muscle weakness or spasticity in both legs); will use prosthesis during the race
SB-LL2 – impairment in one or both legs with less activity limitation (example: BK amputation or mild spasticity)
SB-UL – impairments of the upper limbs

37. WHEELCHAIR CURLING CLASSIFICATION
Eligibility based on wheelchair mobility
Significant impairment in lower limbs
Usually requires wheelchair for daily mobility

38. REFERENCES IPC Classification:
US Paralympic website:
How to become a classifier:
paralympics/sports/classification