Para badminton
What is Para badminton?
Para badminton is badminton for athletes with a range of physical disabilities.
As in badminton, Para badminton athletes compete in both men’s and women’s singles as well as men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The objective is to hit the shuttlecock (also known as shuttle or birdie) over and across the net on the opponent’s court so that the opponent can’t find time to return it back and score a point.
The playing court of Para badminton is similar to that of badminton except that the singles matches of wheelchair and standing classes play half-court. In doubles matches both these classes play over the whole court. In wheelchair classes, the area between the short service line and the net is defined as outside court limit.
Para badminton in New Zealand
Find upcoming events and information about Para badminton in New Zealand, and register for email updates on Badminton New Zealand’s website.
Who is eligible for Para badminton?
Para badminton players are grouped into competition sports classes according to how their physical impairment impacts their ability to carry out the skills of the sport. This ensures competition is fair and equitable.
Before an athlete can be put into a sports class they must go through a process of classification which determines if:
- They have a health condition leading to one of the eligible impairment types.
- Their impairment is permanent and meets the minimal impairment criteria (severity).
The eligible physical impairment types include one or more of the following: impaired muscle power; impaired range of movement; limb deficiency (amputation or congenital limb deformity); leg length difference; short stature; muscle tension, involuntary movements, or uncoordinated movements.
History of Para badminton
Para badminton players have competed internationally since the 1990s. The first World Championships took place in Amersfoort, Netherlands in 1998 and now occurs in every two years. Para badminton became a Paralympic sport in 2021, having made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The International Paralympic Committee has confirmed Para badminton for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
