Disability classification in judo
Judokas with a disability are classified into different categories based on their disability type. The classification is handled by the Blind Sports Association.
Definition
-
Visualisation of functional vision for a B1 competitor -
Visualisation of functional vision for a B2 competitor -
Visualisation of functional vision for a B3 competitor
Governance
The sport is governed by the International Blind Sports Association.[1]
Eligibility
As of 2012[update], people with visual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport.[2][1] The sport is also open to blind people with hearing loss.[1]
History
In 1992, the International Paralympic Committee formally took control of governance for disability sport.[3]
Sports
Classes for the sport are based on weight, not based on functional disability.[1]
B1 competitors, those with the most severe vision problems, have on both sleeves a 7 inch diametere circle in order to make identifying them easier for referees. Competitors who are deaf have a small blue circle on the their judogi's bib on the back in the right hand corner.[1]
Process
At the 1996 Summer Paralympics, on the spot classification required that classifiers have access to medical equipment like Snellen charts, reflex hammers, and goniometers to properly classify competitors.[4]
For Australian competitors in this sport, the sport is not supported by the Australian Paralympic Committee.[5] 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.[6]
At the Paralympic Games
The sport was first played as a medal sport at the 1988 Summer Paralympics.[1] At the 1992 Summer Paralympics, blind people were eligible to participate, with classification being run through IBSA, with classification being done based on weight.[7]
At the 2000 Summer Paralympics, 10 assessments were conducted at the Games. This resulted in 1 class change.[8]
Prominent athletes
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.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Michael Hutson; Cathy Speed (17 March 2011). Sports Injuries. Oxford University Press. p. 442. ISBN 978-0-19-953390-9. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
- ^ "Layman's Guide to Paralympic Classification" (PDF). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. p. 10. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
- ^ DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p. 43. ISBN 0873228480. OCLC 31710003.
- ^ Doll-Tepper, Gudrun; Kröner, Michael; Sonnenschein, Werner; International Paralympic Committee, Sport Science Committee (2001). "Organisation and Administration of the Classification Process for the Paralympics". New Horizons in sport for athletes with a disability : proceedings of the International VISTA '99 Conference, Cologne, Germany, 28 August-1 September 1999. Vol. 1. Oxford (UK): Meyer & Meyer Sport. pp. 379–392. ISBN 1841260363. OCLC 48404898.
- ^ "Summer Sports". Homebush Bay, New South Wales: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
- ^ "What is Classification?". Sydney, Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p. 128. ISBN 0873228480. OCLC 31710003.
- ^ Cashman, Richard I; Darcy, Simon; University of Technology, Sydney. Australian Centre for Olympic Studies (2008). Benchmark games : the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Petersham, N.S.W.: Walla Walla Press in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Olympic Studies University of Technology, Sydney. p. 152.
- ^ "Classification History". Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.