Want to understand the specific rules and technical adjustments in Paralympic archery? This guide explains how categories work and how adapted equipment impacts performance in disability sport. You’ll quickly spot the key classification nuances so you can truly appreciate the strategy behind every end.
The evolution of Paralympic archery: from rehabilitation to world-class sport
The Stoke Mandeville legacy and the 1960 Games debut
It starts with neurologist Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. He established archery as a core rehabilitation tool for war veterans with severe spinal cord injuries.
Present from the very first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, the sport made history immediately. It evolved from a therapeutic activity into an international, high-performance discipline where results now come first.
That’s why archery remains one of the oldest and most respected sports within the Paralympic movement today.
Increasing integration of para archers in able-bodied events
Archery allows a rare level of inclusion in modern sport. Para athletes often compete alongside able-bodied archers on the same shooting lines at major national tournaments.
Stress management, mental preparation and concentration are exactly the same for everyone. On the line, physical condition matters far less than your ability to repeat a perfect shot.
Athletes such as Zahra Nemati have delivered landmark performances on the world stage. Just like in snow-and-ice disciplines, technical precision can take you to the very top after years of training.
How does classification work in para archery?
W1 vs Open: what’s the difference?
The W1 category targets athletes with significant impairments, often comparable to tetraplegia. Limitations affect all four limbs and the trunk, which usually means shooting from a wheelchair.
By contrast, the Open class groups athletes with greater functional ability. You’ll see them shooting standing or seated, depending purely on balance and remaining muscle strength.
In Open, the type of bow (recurve or compound) then determines the competition subgroup.
Shooting position is regulated strictly, to guarantee fair competition across athletes.
Eligibility criteria and functional assessment
Classifier decisions can shape an athlete’s entire sporting pathway. Specialists assess muscle strength and coordination through rigorous tests, confirming official eligibility as a requirement to compete.
Athlete safety comes first, to avoid unnecessary risk that could be worsened by unsuitable equipment.
Note that purely sensory or intellectual impairments fall under other bodies and are handled outside this Paralympic classification pathway.
The goal is to level the playing field so performance comes down to technical mastery.
Three categories of authorised equipment and technical aids in competition
Beyond the athlete, equipment plays a decisive role in elite-level precision.
Recurve vs compound: key differences
Recurve requires continuous muscular tension all the way to release. Compound uses a cam system that multiplies force, dramatically reducing holding effort at full draw for steadier aiming.
Competition distances vary by bow type at the Paralympic level. Recurve is shot at 70 metres on a 122 cm target face. Compound is shot at 50 metres on an 80 cm face.
W1 includes specific equipment restrictions to ensure fairness. Bow draw weight is strictly limited to 45 pounds to account for pulling difficulties.
Recurve: 70 m, 122 cm face
Compound: 50 m, 80 cm face
W1: specific hybrid rules
Innovation for athletes without arms and specialised supports
Archers without arms use methods that are genuinely impressive. Some trigger the release with the mouth or hold the bow with the feet. It’s a high-level feat of coordination and body control.
Rules allow mechanical aids to compensate for physical impairment. Adapted releases and support stands can stabilise aiming effectively.
High seats are common on Paralympic shooting lines. They help maintain a stable posture for athletes who cannot stand.
These innovations make the sport accessible across a wide range of profiles.
Event formats and scoring rules on the shooting line
Once classified and equipped, athletes follow strict competition rules.
Official distances and the initial qualification phase
Qualification is demanding: each archer shoots 72 arrows to establish ranking. This stage rewards consistency above everything.
Target size depends on the bow and distance. In Open recurve, the face is 122 cm; in compound categories, it’s 80 cm.
Indoor shooting at 18 metres removes some variables. Outdoors, weather can change everything.
| Category | Distance | Target face size | Bow type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recurve Open | 70 m | 122 cm | Recurve |
| Compound Open | 50 m | 80 cm | Compound |
| W1 | 50 m | 80 cm | Compound (max 45 lbs) |
| Visually impaired | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Elimination matches and team events
Recurve uses a set system: first to 6 points wins. In compound, scoring is cumulative over 15 arrows.
Team events and mixed doubles are intense. They demand total cohesion because every arrow contributes to the collective score.
If a match stays tied, a single shoot-off arrow decides the winner. The arrow closest to centre takes it.
That’s where tension peaks in elimination finals.
Paralympic archery demands exceptional rigour, from classification rules to equipment mastery. Connect with a specialised club to build your technical precision. Every end brings you closer to elite-level focus and consistency.
