Paralympic powerlifting, also known as para powerlifting and para-lifting, is an adaptation of the sport of powerlifting for athletes with disabilities. The only discipline in Paralympic powerlifting is the bench press and is open to anyone with a minimum level of disability who can extend their arms within 20° of full extension during a lift.

Competition consists of men and women divisions:
• Men compete in the 49kg, 54kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg, 80kg, 88kg, 97kg, 107kg and +107kg divisions.
• Women compete in the 41kg, 45kg, 50kg, 55kg, 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 79kg, 86kg and +86kg divisions.

In powerlifting, male and female athletes assume a supine position on a specially designed bench, and after taking or receiving the bar at arms-length, the lifter shall wait with locked elbows and the bar under control for the Chief Referee’s signal.

After receiving the signal “start”, the lifter must lower the bar to the chest, hold it motionless (visible) on the chest and then press it upwards evenly, with an even equal extension of both the arms with locked elbows.

When held motionless and controlled in this position, the audible signal “rack” shall be given and the bar is returned to the rack.

Then an immediate decision shall be given by the three nominated international referees through a system of white and red lights. Two or more white lights signify a good lift and two or more red lifts reflect a no lift.

Each athlete has three attempts, and upon discretion of the jury a fourth attempt may be allowed to achieve a new world record, but this attempt does not count towards the final competition result.

Paralympic powerlifting, also known as para powerlifting and para-lifting, is an adaptation of the sport of powerlifting for athletes with disabilities. The only discipline in Paralympic powerlifting is the bench press and is open to anyone with a minimum level of disability who can extend their arms within 20° of full extension during a lift.

Competition consists of men and women divisions:
• Men compete in the 49kg, 54kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg, 80kg, 88kg, 97kg, 107kg and +107kg divisions.
• Women compete in the 41kg, 45kg, 50kg, 55kg, 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 79kg, 86kg and +86kg divisions.

In powerlifting, male and female athletes assume a supine position on a specially designed bench, and after taking or receiving the bar at arms-length, the lifter shall wait with locked elbows and the bar under control for the Chief Referee’s signal.

After receiving the signal “start”, the lifter must lower the bar to the chest, hold it motionless (visible) on the chest and then press it upwards evenly, with an even equal extension of both the arms with locked elbows.

When held motionless and controlled in this position, the audible signal “rack” shall be given and the bar is returned to the rack.

Then an immediate decision shall be given by the three nominated international referees through a system of white and red lights. Two or more white lights signify a good lift and two or more red lifts reflect a no lift.

Each athlete has three attempts, and upon discretion of the jury a fourth attempt may be allowed to achieve a new world record, but this attempt does not count towards the final competition result.

Judo is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally. The objective of competitive judo is to throw an opponent, immobilize them with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke. A judo practitioner is called a “judoka”, and the judo uniform is called “judogi”. Paralympic judo is an adaptation of the Japanese martial art of judo for visually impaired competitors. The rules of the sport are only slightly different from regular judo competitions. Para Judo is practiced exclusively by athletes with vision impairments and follows the same rules as its Olympic equivalent. Unable to see their adversary approaching or attacking, judokas must use their sense of touch to ‘feel’ what their rival is about to do. Breathing, movements and grip of the judogi – they must pay attention to every tiny detail.

Judo is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally. The objective of competitive judo is to throw an opponent, immobilize them with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke. A judo practitioner is called a “judoka”, and the judo uniform is called “judogi”. Paralympic judo is an adaptation of the Japanese martial art of judo for visually impaired competitors. The rules of the sport are only slightly different from regular judo competitions. Para Judo is practiced exclusively by athletes with vision impairments and follows the same rules as its Olympic equivalent. Unable to see their adversary approaching or attacking, judokas must use their sense of touch to ‘feel’ what their rival is about to do. Breathing, movements and grip of the judogi – they must pay attention to every tiny detail.

a Summer Games Paralympic Sport Governing Bodies International Paralympic Committee We are looking for people who would like to become Sport Ambassadors for this sport and help organize what and how we share information regarding this sport. Ideally Sport Ambassadors have competed-in or particiapted in helping to organize sporting events in this sport. We are […]

a Summer Games Paralympic Sport Governing Bodies International Paralympic Committee We are looking for people who would like to become Sport Ambassadors for this sport and help organize what and how we share information regarding this sport. Ideally Sport Ambassadors have competed-in or particiapted in helping to organize sporting events in this sport. We are […]

Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. Participants compete in teams of three, and try to throw a ball that has bells embedded inside of it into the opponents’ goal. The ball is thrown by hand and never kicked. Using ear-hand coordination, originating as a rehabilitation exercise, the sport has no able-bodied equivalent. Able-bodied athletes are also blindfolded when playing this sport.

Played indoors, usually on a volleyball court, games consist of twelve-minute halves (formerly ten-minute halves) with three-minute half-time. Where there is a tie, golden goal overtime occurs in the form of two three-minute periods (and a second three-minute half-time). If the tie persists, a paired shootout (‘extra throws’ and ‘sudden death extra throws’) determines the winner. Teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball from one end of the playing area to the other, and players remain in the area of their own goal in both defence and attack. Players must use the sound of the bell to judge the position and movement of the ball. Eyeshades allow partially-sighted players to compete on an equal footing with blind players. Eyepatches may be worn under eyeshades to ensure complete coverage of the eye, and prevent any vision should the eyeshades become dislodged.

Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. Participants compete in teams of three, and try to throw a ball that has bells embedded inside of it into the opponents’ goal. The ball is thrown by hand and never kicked. Using ear-hand coordination, originating as a rehabilitation exercise, the sport has no able-bodied equivalent. Able-bodied athletes are also blindfolded when playing this sport.

Played indoors, usually on a volleyball court, games consist of twelve-minute halves (formerly ten-minute halves) with three-minute half-time. Where there is a tie, golden goal overtime occurs in the form of two three-minute periods (and a second three-minute half-time). If the tie persists, a paired shootout (‘extra throws’ and ‘sudden death extra throws’) determines the winner. Teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball from one end of the playing area to the other, and players remain in the area of their own goal in both defence and attack. Players must use the sound of the bell to judge the position and movement of the ball. Eyeshades allow partially-sighted players to compete on an equal footing with blind players. Eyepatches may be worn under eyeshades to ensure complete coverage of the eye, and prevent any vision should the eyeshades become dislodged.

Sitting volleyball is a variation of the standing version of the sport. It is played by two teams of six players who slide around the court using the power of their arms to remain in the sitting position. The court dimensions in sitting volleyball are smaller and the net is lower than traditional volleyball, making sitting volleyball a fast-paced, intense sport.

The sitting game utilizes the same volleyball skills and techniques as the standing game with a few key rule differences as players use both their arms and legs to move across the court. The sport is played by over 10,000 athletes, in more than 75 countries worldwide making it truly a global game that anyone can play.

Sitting volleyball is a variation of the standing version of the sport. It is played by two teams of six players who slide around the court using the power of their arms to remain in the sitting position. The court dimensions in sitting volleyball are smaller and the net is lower than traditional volleyball, making sitting volleyball a fast-paced, intense sport.

The sitting game utilizes the same volleyball skills and techniques as the standing game with a few key rule differences as players use both their arms and legs to move across the court. The sport is played by over 10,000 athletes, in more than 75 countries worldwide making it truly a global game that anyone can play.

a Summer Games Paralympic Sport Governing Bodies International Paralympic Committee We are looking for people who would like to become Sport Ambassadors for this sport and help organize what and how we share information regarding this sport. Ideally Sport Ambassadors have competed-in or particiapted in helping to organize sporting events in this sport. We are […]

a Summer Games Paralympic Sport Governing Bodies International Paralympic Committee We are looking for people who would like to become Sport Ambassadors for this sport and help organize what and how we share information regarding this sport. Ideally Sport Ambassadors have competed-in or particiapted in helping to organize sporting events in this sport. We are […]

Para-equestrian includes two competitive events: One is para-equestrian dressage, which is conducted under the same basic rules as conventional dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their functional abilities. The other is para-equestrian driving, which operates under the same basic rules as combined driving but places competitors in various grades based on their functional abilities.

Para-equestrian includes two competitive events: One is para-equestrian dressage, which is conducted under the same basic rules as conventional dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their functional abilities. The other is para-equestrian driving, which operates under the same basic rules as combined driving but places competitors in various grades based on their functional abilities.

The paratriathlon is a variation of the traditional triathlon and consists of three events:

• 750 meter swim
• 20 kilometer bike (performed with either a handcycle, bicycle or tandem with a guide)
• 5 kilometer run (performed in either a racing wheelchair, prosthesis or along with a guide)

The paratriathlon is a variation of the traditional triathlon and consists of three events:

• 750 meter swim
• 20 kilometer bike (performed with either a handcycle, bicycle or tandem with a guide)
• 5 kilometer run (performed in either a racing wheelchair, prosthesis or along with a guide)

Pararowing (or adaptive rowing) is a category of rowing race for those with physical, visual or intellectual disabilities. Rowing, sometimes called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars are attached to the boat using oarlocks, while paddles are not connected to the boat. Rowing is divided into two disciplines: sculling and sweep rowing. In sculling, each rower holds two oars—one in each hand, while in sweep rowing each rower holds one oar with both hands. There are several boat classes in which athletes may compete, ranging from single sculls, occupied by one person, to shells with eight rowers and a coxswain, called eights. There are a wide variety of course types and formats of racing, but most elite and championship level racing is conducted on calm water courses 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) long with several lanes marked using buoys.

Pararowing (or adaptive rowing) is a category of rowing race for those with physical, visual or intellectual disabilities. Rowing, sometimes called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars are attached to the boat using oarlocks, while paddles are not connected to the boat. Rowing is divided into two disciplines: sculling and sweep rowing. In sculling, each rower holds two oars—one in each hand, while in sweep rowing each rower holds one oar with both hands. There are several boat classes in which athletes may compete, ranging from single sculls, occupied by one person, to shells with eight rowers and a coxswain, called eights. There are a wide variety of course types and formats of racing, but most elite and championship level racing is conducted on calm water courses 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) long with several lanes marked using buoys.

a Summer Games Paralympic Sport Governing Bodies International Paralympic Committee We are looking for people who would like to become Sport Ambassadors for this sport and help organize what and how we share information regarding this sport. Ideally Sport Ambassadors have competed-in or particiapted in helping to organize sporting events in this sport. We are […]

a Summer Games Paralympic Sport Governing Bodies International Paralympic Committee We are looking for people who would like to become Sport Ambassadors for this sport and help organize what and how we share information regarding this sport. Ideally Sport Ambassadors have competed-in or particiapted in helping to organize sporting events in this sport. We are […]