Para-archery has been a part of the Paralympic Games since its debut in Rome, Italy, in 1960. This sport is open to athletes with physical impairments and includes both standing and wheelchair events. Competitors aim to shoot arrows as close to the center of a target as possible from a distance of 70 meters. The target features 10 scoring zones. Additionally, World Archery offers competition opportunities for athletes with vision impairments.
Para Archery
Overview
Events & Disciplines
The Paralympic Games feature men’s, women’s, and mixed pair events for both compound and recurve bows.
Rules & Equipment
Competitions begin with a ranking round where athletes shoot 72 arrows in 12 phases of six arrows each, with four minutes allocated per phase. The total score from these 72 arrows determines their ranking, which influences the draw for individual and team events.
In individual events, matches are decided over the best-of-five sets, with each athlete shooting three arrows per set. In team events, teams of three compete in a best-of-24-arrows format.
Classification
In archery, athletes are divided into three functional classes based on their abilities.
The standing class (ST1) is tailored for athletes who retain full arm function but may experience varying degrees of muscle strength, coordination, and mobility issues in their legs. This group includes individuals with conditions like amputation, cerebral palsy, and other impairments. Athletes in this category can choose to compete while seated or standing.
Another class, W1, is for athletes with tetraplegia or similar impairments, which limit their range of motion, strength, and control in both arms and legs. These athletes compete from a wheelchair.
Lastly, the W2 class is for archers with paraplegia or comparable impairments, resulting in limited mobility in their lower limbs. However, they have full arm function. Typically using wheelchairs in daily life, W2 athletes also compete from a seated position.