Para badminton is the fastest racket sport at the Paralympics where players compete in singles and doubles events hitting a shuttlecock over the net without return to score points. Players can catch opponents with clear shots, drop shots, lift shots or smashes.

 

Matches follow a best-of-three format, where the first player or team to reach 21 points in two games wins the match. After scores reach 19 points, a side must be two points clear of their opponent to secure the win.

 

Athletes are divided into six classes – four standing and two wheelchair – depending on their degree of impairment. Events include men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

 

The size of the court can be adapted for certain categories, such as wheelchair singles matches, where half the regular court is used. The area near the net is also not played in this instance as athletes need to switch between hitting and manoeuvring on the court.

 

Wheelchairs have extra wheels for balance or even a low backrest to gain extra range to make clear shots. All other athletes play full court.

 

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the world governing body for Para badminton.  Badminton Association of Hong Kong, China Limited is  the member of Badminton World Federation in Hong Kong, China. Sports Association for the Physically Disabled of Hong Kong, China is the organisation authorised for elite development of Para Badminton in Hong Kong, China.

Source of information credit: International Paralympic Committee