Wheelchair tennis classification

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).

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] In 1992, the International Paralympic Committee formally took control of governance for disability sport.[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.[6] Male and female athletes with a physical disability (as defined by the IPC) can compete in Quad (tetraplegia) or Open divisions. 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.[7]

Classes

There are two classes for the sport, the tetraplegic class (commonly known as Quad class) and the open classification.[8] 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[8] 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.[10]

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.[11] and agree to abide by the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and Fitness Control.[12] 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.[13] In most countries, classification for national competitions is done through the local national Paralympic committee.[14] For Australian competitors in this sport, the sport and classification is managed the national sport federation with support from the Australian Paralympic Committee.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17] 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 to 80 men and 32 to 48 women will compete in six medal events.[9] The maximum number of competitors per country allowed is as follows:

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.[19]

Daniela Di Toro, also of Australia, will be returning for her fifth consecutive Paralympic Games at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.[20]

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.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Wheelchair Tennis Classification". London 2012 Paralympic Games. 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. ↑ DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p. 43. ISBN 0873228480. OCLC 31710003.
  6. ↑ "Layman’s Guide to Paralympic Classification" (PDF). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. p. 19. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Vernon Lin, MD, PhD; Christopher Bono, MD; Diana Cardenas, MD, MHA; Frederick Frost, MD; Laurie Lindblom, MD; Margaret Hammond, MD; Inder Parkash; Stevens Stiens, MD, MS; Robert Woolsey, MD (19 March 2010). Spinal Cord Medicine: Principles & Practice. Demos Medical Publishing. p. 810. ISBN 978-1-933864-19-8. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  8. 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.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Wheelchair Tennis — Classification". London 2012 Paralympic Games. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  10. ↑ 3: Power Wheelchairs ITF Wheelchair Tennis Regulations (PDF). London, UK: ITF. 2012. p. 7.
  11. ↑ Regulations for Wheelchair Tennis 2012 - Section 39a. (PDF). International Tennis Federation. 2012. p. 39.
  12. ↑ Teams: Wheelchair Tennis Eligibility — International Tennis Foundation Regulations for Wheelchair Tennis 2012 (PDF). International Tennis Federation. 2012. p. 73.
  13. ↑ "2012 Paralympic Games Wheelchair Tennis Event Fact Sheet" (PDF). International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  14. ↑ Goosey-Tolfrey, Vicky (2010). Wheelchair sport : a complete guide for athletes, coaches, and teachers. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. p. 16. ISBN 9780736086769. OCLC 489446056.
  15. ↑ "Summer Sports". Homebush Bay, New South Wales: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "What is Classification?". Sydney, Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  17. ↑ DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p. 128. ISBN 0873228480. OCLC 31710003.
  18. ↑ "Wheelchair Tennis — About". London 2012 Paralympic Games. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "David Hall — Paralympic Games Medal Results". International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  20. ↑ "APC names Paralympic wheelchair tennis team". Australian Paralympic Committee. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  21. ↑ "Classification History". Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.