Paralympic shooting

Last updated
Paralympic shooting
Shooting pictogram (Paralympics).svg
Highest governing body International Paralympic Committee
NicknamesShooting Para sport
Characteristics
Mixed-sex Yes
Presence
World Championships Yes
Paralympic Yes

Paralympic shooting, also known as shooting Para sport, is an adaptation of shooting sports for competitors with disabilities. Shooting is a test of accuracy and control, in which competitors use pistols or rifles to fire a series of shots at a stationary target. Each shot is worth a maximum score of 10.9 points. Athletes use .22 caliber rifles, pistols and .177 caliber air guns (compressed air or pneumatic). Paralympic shooting first appeared in the Summer Paralympics at the 1976 Toronto Games.

Contents

Competitions are open to all athletes with a physical disability. Shooting utilizes a functional classification system, [1] which enables wheelchair users and ambulant athletes from different disability classes to compete together either individually or in teams.

Athletes compete in rifle and pistol events from distances of 10, 25 and 50 meters, in men's, women's and mixed competitions. Of the 12 Paralympic Shooting events, six are open to both women and men, three are open to women only and three are open to men only.

The sport is governed by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and co-ordinated by the World Shooting Para Sport Technical Committee following the modified rules of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). These rules consider the differences that exist between shooting for the able-bodied and shooting for persons with a disability.

In November 2016, IPC changed the official name of the sport to "shooting Para sport", and renamed the coordinating committee from "IPC Shooting Sport Technical Committee" to reflect this change. [2]

Classification system

Only SH1 and SH2 classes are represented in the Paralympic Games, based on World Shooting Para Sport Classification Rules and Regulations.

Sub-classifications A, B and C define wheelchair backrest height depending on back and pelvic strength per athlete.

Equipment adaptations

Disabled shooters use the same firearms and clothing as able-bodied shooters. Adaptations are equipment specific :

The World Shooting Para Sport rules are adapted partially from ISSF rules. In 10m Air Rifle Prone and .22 Rifle Prone, slings are required for SH1 shooters while SH2 shooters are not allowed to use a sling. Ambulant and wheelchair users have very specific equipment instructions in the World Shooting Para Sport rulebook.

Rifle events

Both SH1 and SH2 class shooters use the following positions depending on event, with the 3-position (Standing, Kneeling, Prone) involving all three.

The Minimum Qualification Scores (MQS) for Regional and World Championships (MQS, 2012 LON Paralympic Games).

SH1 Class

EventDisciplineGenderMQS
R110m Air Rifle StandingMen545
R210m Air Rifle StandingWomen355
R310m Air Rifle ProneMixed575
R650m Rifle ProneMixed560
R750m Rifle 3-position 3×40Men1060
R850m Rifle 3-position 3×20Women525

SH2 Class

EventDisciplineGenderMQS
R410m Air Rifle StandingMixed570
R510m Air Rifle ProneMixed575
R950m Prone RifleMixed560

Pistol events

The Minimum Qualification Scores (MQS) for Regional and World Championships (MQS, 2012 LON Paralympic Games).

SH1 Class

EventDisciplineGender
P110m Air PistolMen535
P210m Air PistolWomen340
P325m PistolMixed530
P450m PistolMixed490
P510m Air Pistol StandardMixed310

Competitions

"Co-ed" or "Mixed" male and female shooters compete together in certain events. Shooting is conducted in 2 stages: Qualification and Finals. In the 2013-2016 ISSF Rules, Air Rifle Prone (R3) and .22 Rifle Prone (R6) competitors for example, have unlimited sighters 15 minutes before the 60 competition shots due within 50 minutes. The new Finals are also conducted with the top 8 shooters starting from zero, with a focus on the decimal duel to clearly determine medal winners.

Minimum Qualification Scores (MQS) [3] prescribed by the Paralympic Games host country are participation criteria required for IPC recognized shooting competitions such as Regional and World Championships. Competitions are conducted under IPC Shooting/ISSF Rules and Regulations and IPC Shooting Classification Rules and Regulations.

The IPC World Cups held mostly in Europe and North America are well attended Paralympic Games qualifiers. The ASIAN Para Games, formerly known as the FESPIC Games and the Jikji Cup Asian Open Championships in Korea are the main Paralympic shooting events in Asia.

ISSF's 2013–2016 rule changes

With the LON 2012 Paralympics over, ISSF introduced new rules [4] for 2013-2016 to make winners easier to identify as many shooters were easily achieving the maximum scores.

"It is officially confirmed that IPC Shooting will be adhering [5] to all the changes made in the 2013 edition of the ISSF rules, including finals format changes and the trial of decimal scoring. This decision was made in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (signed 2010) between the ISSF and IPC Shooting, and after serious consideration regarding the future development of our sport. The decision has been approved by the IPC Governing Board, as is the formality. The 2013 ISSF Rules include some significant changes that IPC Shooting believes will have an exciting impact for IPC Shooting competitions." [6]

In January 2013, the new ISSF rules came into effect, initially with the more obvious changes:

Shooting teams around the globe now focus on decimal scoring trials in the qualification, not just the finals stage. Likewise, the Safety Flag RULE 6.2.2.2., [7] with a small ISSF flag on one end of a highly visible nylon line (such as from the whipper-snipper garden tool), inserted full length and out the other end of both rifles and pistols to visibly show that the firearms is unloaded and 'safe', are additional required safety equipment seeing action at the finals, as well as firearm control and while on standby at the firing point.

See also

Related Research Articles

Paralympic Shooting classification is the shooting classification in place for the Paralympic Games to help establish fair competition. Classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee's IPC Shooting. While there are currently three classifications, there were originally five in international competitions. People with physical disabilities as defined by the International Paralympic Committee are eligible to compete.

SH1 is a Paralympic shooting classification.

SH2 is a Paralympic shooting classification.

Philippine National Shooting Association

The Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) is the National Sports Association (NSA) governing shooting sports in the Philippines, covering both Olympic discipline shooting sports and non-Olympic shooting events like the bench rest or practical pistol. PNSA is the Philippine shooting sport NSA recognized by and a regular member of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), funded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Norway at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Norway competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. They won a total of eight medals; three gold, two silver and three bronze. Sarah Louise Rung led the team by winning five medals in swimming; two gold, one silver and two bronze.

France at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

France competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. The first places the team qualified were for four athletes in sailing events.

Germany at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Germany competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. The first places the team qualified were for four athletes in sailing events. They also qualified athletes in archery, cycling, equestrian, paracanoeing, paratriathlon, rowing and wheelchair basketball.

Thailand at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Thailand competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016.

Sweden at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Sweden is competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. They won ten medals; one gold, four silver and five bronze.

Iran at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Iran competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016.

United Arab Emirates at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

The United Arab Emirates sent athletes to the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016.

China at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

China has qualified to send athletes to the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. Sports China competed in include blind football, archery, boccia, cycling, goalball, judo, paracanoeing, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.

Turkey at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Turkey has qualified send athletes to the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. Sports the country qualified to compete in include 5-a-side football, archery, goalball and wheelchair basketball.

South Korea at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

South Korea competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 to 18 September 2016.

Slovakia at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Slovakia competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 to 18 September 2016.

Switzerland at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Switzerland competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 to 18 September 2016.

Slovenia at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Slovenia competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. Sports they qualified athletes to compete at included shooting.

Keith Bremner was an Australian Paralympic Shooter, who participated in other sports at International Paralympic Games. He competed at four successive Summer Paralympics from 1984, FESPIC Games, International Stoke Mandeville Games, World Shooting Championships, Oceania and Korean Shooting Championships for the Disabled. He was Chairman and long-term member of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of New South Wales, and long-term member of Wheelchair Sports New South Wales.

Slovakia at the 2020 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

Slovakia competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, from 24 August to 5 September 2021.

South Korea at the 2020 Summer Paralympics Sporting event delegation

South Korea competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, from 24 August to 5 September 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Shooting - Rules and Regulations - Classification | IPC". Paralympic.org. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "The IPC to rebrand the 10 sports it acts as International Federation for" (Press release). International Paralympic Committee. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "London 2012 - Qualification Criteria | IPC". Paralympic.org. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "ISSF - International Shooting Sport Federation". issf-sports.org. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "IPC Shooting adopts new rule changes for 2013 | IPC". Paralympic.org. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "Shooting - Rules and Regulations - Rules | IPC". Paralympic.org. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  7. ↑ http://www.issf-sports.org/getfile.aspx?mod=docf&pane=1&inst=31&iist=29&file=Rule%20Interpretations%20for%202013%20ISSF%20Rules%20-%20Version%20Feb%202013.pdf. Archived 10 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine

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