Wheelchair tennis classification

Last updated

Wheelchair tennis classification is the classification system for wheelchair tennis designed to bring fair play for all competitors. Classification is overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and carried out by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Contents

Definition

Wheelchair tennis classification at the Paralympic Games is the basis for determining who can compete in the sport, and within which class. It is used for the purposes of establishing fair competition. Entry is eligible to male and female athletes with a physical disability that prevents them from fairly competing with able-bodied players. [1]

Governance

Governance in the sport is overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and carried out by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) who publish classification rules and regulations annually. [2] [3] [4] The sport was the first one to have the able-bodied organisation handle classification when ITF took over governance of the sport in 1998. [3]

History

Wheelchair tennis was developed in 1976 by Jeff Minnenbraker and Brad Parks. [3] By the early 1990s, wheelchair tennis classification had moved away from medical based ones to a functional classification system. [5] In 1992, the International Paralympic Committee formally took control of governance for disability sport. [6] Because of issues in objectively identifying functionality that plagued the post Barcelona Games, the IPC unveiled plans to develop a new classification system in 2003. This classification system went into effect in 2007, and defined ten different disability types that were eligible to participate on the Paralympic level. It required that classification be sport specific, and served two roles. The first was that it determined eligibility to participate in the sport and that it created specific groups of sportspeople who were eligible to participate and in which class. The IPC left it up to International Federations to develop their own classification systems within this framework, with the specification that their classification systems use an evidence based approach developed through research. [5]

Classification for the 2012 Summer Paralympics was based on the 2009 International Tennis Federation's Wheelchair Tennis Handbook. [3]

Eligibility

As of 2012, people with physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport. [7] Male and female athletes with a physical disability (as defined by the IPC) can compete in Quad (tetraplegia) or Open divisions.[ citation needed ] To be eligible to play wheelchair tennis, a competitor must have a "medically diagnosed, permanent, mobility-related physical disability" [3] and then meet one of several criteria which includes "Neurological deficit at the S1 level or proximal", [3] "anklylosis, severe arthrosis or joint replacement" [3] in the lower half, "amputation of any lower-extremity joint proximal to the metatarsophalangeal joint" [3] or a functional disability equivalent to the above. [3] Lower leg amputation competitors are allowed to participate in wheelchair sport following classification rules for them based on functional mobility. [8]

Classes

There are two classes for the sport, the tetraplegic class (commonly known as Quad class) and the open classification. [9] Athletes are classified into these classes as follows:

The rules for wheelchair tennis are similar to able-bodied tennis except that the ball is allowed to bounce twice [9] so long as the first bounce falls within the court. Use of a power-wheelchair may be allocated to athletes who are unable to manoeuvre a manual chair due to their disability. [11]

Process

For a wheelchair tennis athlete to compete at the Paralympic Games, international classification by an International Classification Panel is required. All competitors must hold a current Wheelchair Tennis International Player Identification Number (IPIN) from the International Tennis Federation. [12] and agree to abide by the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and Fitness Control. [13] For the 2012 Paralympic Games, athletes should have an official ranking on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Singles World Ranking List, as well as a participation history in one or more ITF Wheelchair Tennis competitions within the period 1 January 2010 to 31 January 2012. [14]

In most countries, classification for national competitions is done through the local national Paralympic committee. [15] For Australian competitors in this sport, the sport and classification is managed the national sport federation with support from the Australian Paralympic Committee. [16] There are three types of classification available for Australian competitors: Provisional, national and international. The first is for club level competitions, the second for state and national competitions, and the third for international competitions. [17]

At the Paralympic Games

Wheelchair tennis was first played at the Paralympics in 1992. [3] At the 1992 Summer Paralympics, wheelchair disability types were eligible to participate, with classification being run through an independent classifier. [18] Competition at the 2012 Summer Paralympics will be held at Eton Manor (Olympic Park), from 1 September to 8 September. It is estimated that between 64 and 80 men and 32 to 48 women will compete in six medal events. [10] The maximum number of competitors per country allowed is as follows:

For the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. [20]

Prominent athletes

David Hall is Australia's highest medal winner at the Paralympics in wheelchair tennis with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals spanning across three Paralympic Games. [21]

In the Paralympics Esther Vergeer won four gold medals in singles as well as three gold and one silver medals in the doubles.

In the Paralympics Shingo Kunieda won three gold medals in singles as well as one gold and two bronze medals in the doubles.

In the Paralympics David Wagner won one gold and two bronze medals in singles as well as three gold medals in the doubles.

Future

Going forward, disability sport's major classification body, the International Paralympic Committee, is working on improving classification to be more of an evidence-based system as opposed to a performance-based system so as not to punish elite athletes whose performance makes them appear in a higher class alongside competitors who train less. [22]

Related Research Articles

Disability sports classification is a system that allows for fair competition between people with different types of disabilities.

Wheelchair basketball classification is the system that allows for even levels of competition on the court for wheelchair basketball based on functional mobility. The classifications for the sport are 1 point player, 2 point player, 3 point player, 4 point player and 4.5 point player, the greater the player's functional ability. Classification for the sport is set by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation.

Para-athletics classification is a system to determine which athletes with disabilities may compete against each other in para-athletics events. Classification is intended to group together athletes with similar levels of physical ability to allow fair competition. Classification was created and is managed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which is regularly published via its IPC Athletics Classification Handbook. People with physical, vision and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport at the Summer Paralympics. The classification for this sport was created during the 1940s and for much of its early history was a medical condition based classification system. The classification system has subsequently become a functional mobility based one, and is moving towards an evidence-based classification system.

Para-swimming classification is a function-based classification system designed to allow for fair competition in disability swimming. The classes are prefixed with "S" for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, "SB" for breaststroke and "SM" for individual medley events. Swimmers with physical disabilities are divided into ten classes based on their degree of functional disability: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 and S10. The lower number indicates a greater degree of impairment. Those with visual impairments are placed in three additional classes: S11, S12 and S13. One more class, S14, is reserved for swimmers with intellectual impairment. A final class, S15, is for athletes with hearing loss.

Para-cycling classification is the process of classifying participants in para-cycling covering four functional disability types. The classification system includes classes for handcycles for people who have lower limb mobility issues. The sport is governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Para-alpine skiing classification is the classification system for para-alpine skiing designed to ensure fair competition between alpine skiers with different types of disabilities. The classifications are grouped into three general disability types: standing, blind and sitting. Classification governance is handled by International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing. Prior to that, several sport governing bodies dealt with classification including the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD), International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMWSF), International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA). Some classification systems are governed by bodies other than International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing, such as the Special Olympics. The sport is open to all competitors with a visual or physical disability. It is not open to people with intellectual disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para-Nordic skiing classification</span>

Para-Nordic skiing classification is the classification system for para-Nordic skiing which includes the biathlon and cross-country events. The classifications for Para-Nordic skiing mirrors the classifications for Para-Alpine skiing with some exceptions. A functional mobility and medical classification is in use, with skiers being divided into three groups: standing skiers, sit skiers and visually impaired skiers. International classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee, Nordic Skiing (IPC-NS). Other classification is handled by national bodies. Before the IPC-NS took over classification, a number of organizations handled classification based on the type of disability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para-archery classification</span>

Para-archery classification is the classification system for para-archery used to create a level playing field for archers with a different range of disabilities. Governance in the sport is through the International Archery Federation. Early classification systems for the sport were created during the 1940s and based on medical classification. This has subsequently changed to a functional mobility classification with the exception of blind archery.

Paralympic powerlifting classification is the system designed for disability based powerlifting to insure that there is level competition across a range of disabilities. Categories are broken down based on weight. The sport's classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee Powerlifting. People with physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport.

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.

Wheelchair rugby classification is the seven class system that assigns players a point value based on functional mobility to insure parity in athletic ability on the court at any given time. Classification is handled by the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation.

Wheelchair fencing classification is the classification system for wheelchair fencing which is governed by the IWAS. People with physical disabilities are eligible to compete included people with physical disabilities. Classification for national competitions is done through the local national Paralympic committee.

Disability table tennis classification is the disability sport classification process for para table tennis that is governed by the International Table Tennis Federation. The sport's classifications are open to people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Wheelchair curling classification is the disability classification system for wheelchair curling, which is governed by the World Curling Federation. Only curlers with lower limb mobility problems are allowed to compete.

Boccia classification is the classification system governing boccia, a sport designed specifically for people with disabilities. Classification is handled by Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association. There are four classifications for this sport. All four classes are eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games.

LTA-PD is an adaptive rowing classification for people with physical disabilities that was developed in March 2011. It includes people with spinal cord injuries generally at around the S1 level. It also includes people with cerebral palsy. People in this class have issues with their legs, arms and trunk.

PR2 is a Paralympic rowing classification for people with trunk and arm function. The class includes people with spinal cord injuries, including people who have lesions from T10 to L4. This class has its origins in the P2 class, part of the original classification system for the sport developed in 1991.

Para-equestrian is an equestrian sport governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and 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.

Cerebral palsy sport classification is a classification system used by sports that include people with cerebral palsy (CP) with different degrees of severity to compete fairly against each other and against others with different types of disabilities. In general, Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) serves as the body in charge of classification for cerebral palsy sport, though some sports have their own classification systems which apply to CP sportspeople.

Les Autres sport classification is system used in disability sport for people with locomotor disabilities not included in other classification systems for people with physical disabilities. The purpose of this system is to facilitate fair competition between people with different types of disabilities, and to give credibility to disability sports. It was designed and managed by International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) until the 2005 merger with IWAS, when management switched to that organization. Classification is handled on the national level by relevant sport organizations.

References

  1. "Wheelchair Tennis Classification". London 2012 Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  2. "Wheelchair ITF Rules and Regulations". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Goosey-Tolfrey, Vicky (2010). Wheelchair sport : a complete guide for athletes, coaches, and teachers. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. p. 22. ISBN   9780736086769. OCLC   489446056.
  4. Michael Hutson; Cathy Speed (17 March 2011). Sports Injuries. Oxford University Press. p. 450. ISBN   978-0-19-953390-9 . Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  5. 1 2 Vanlandewijck, Yves C.; Thompson, Walter R. (2016-06-01). Training and Coaching the Paralympic Athlete. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   9781119045120.
  6. DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p.  43. ISBN   0873228480. OCLC   31710003.
  7. "Layman's Guide to Paralympic Classification" (PDF). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. p. 19. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  8. Vernon Lin; Christopher Bono; Diana Cardenas; Frederick Frost; Laurie Lindblom; Margaret Hammond; Inder Parkash; Stevens Stiens; Robert Woolsey (19 March 2010). Spinal Cord Medicine: Principles & Practice. Demos Medical Publishing. p. 810. ISBN   978-1-933864-19-8 . Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  9. 1 2 Goosey-Tolfrey, Vicky (2010). Wheelchair sport : a complete guide for athletes, coaches, and teachers. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. p. 23. ISBN   9780736086769. OCLC   489446056.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Wheelchair Tennis Classification". London 2012 Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  11. 3: Power Wheelchairs ITF Wheelchair Tennis Regulations (PDF). London, UK: ITF. 2012. p. 7.
  12. Regulations for Wheelchair Tennis 2012 - Section 39a (PDF). International Tennis Federation. 2012. p. 39.
  13. Teams: Wheelchair Tennis Eligibility International Tennis Foundation Regulations for Wheelchair Tennis 2012 (PDF). International Tennis Federation. 2012. p. 73.
  14. "2012 Paralympic Games Wheelchair Tennis Event Fact Sheet" (PDF). International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  15. Goosey-Tolfrey, Vicky (2010). Wheelchair sport : a complete guide for athletes, coaches, and teachers. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. p. 16. ISBN   9780736086769. OCLC   489446056.
  16. "Summer Sports". Homebush Bay, New South Wales: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-08-15. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  17. "What is Classification?". Sydney, Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  18. DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p.  128. ISBN   0873228480. OCLC   31710003.
  19. "Wheelchair Tennis About". London 2012 Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  20. "Rio 2016 Classification Guide" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. International Paralympic Committee. March 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  21. "David Hall Paralympic Games Medal Results". International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  22. "Classification History". Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.