Paralympic shooting
Encyclopedia
Paralympic shooting 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. Competitions are open to all athletes with a physical disability. Athletes use .22 caliber rifles and air guns (pneumatic, gas or spring). Paralympic shooting is practiced in at least 51 countries and first appeared in the Summer Paralympics at the 1976 Toronto Games
.
Athletes compete in rifle
and pistol
events from distances of 10, 25 and 50 metres, in men's, women's and mixed competitions. Shooting utilizes a functional classification system, which enables athletes from different disability classes to compete together either individually or in teams, with wheelchair
users competing on equal level with standing shooters.
Shooting is governed by the International Paralympic Committee
(IPC) and co-ordinated by the IPC Shooting 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.
Sub-classifications A, B and C define wheelchair backrest height depending on back and pelvic strength per athlete.
The only additional event is the 10m air rifle prone which is shot with both male and female shooters mixed together. Both sexes shooting 60 shots within 1 hour 30 minutes. Finals are also conducted. For the 10m air rifle prone mixed event, slings are optional for SH1 shooters. SH2 shooters are not allowed to use a sling in this event.
.22 Rifle, 50m Range
3x20 .22 Rifle (women's event)
3x40 .22 Rifle (men's event)
. The ASIAN Games for the Disabled, formerly known as the FESPIC Games
, and the Jikji Cup Asian Open Championships in Korea
are the biggest Paralympic shooting events in Asia
. Both of these competitions serve as qualifying events for the Paralympic Games.
Shooting sports
A shooting sport is a competitive sport involving tests of proficiency using various types of guns such as firearms and airguns . Hunting is also a shooting sport, and indeed shooting live pigeons was an Olympic event...
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. Competitions are open to all athletes with a physical disability. Athletes use .22 caliber rifles and air guns (pneumatic, gas or spring). Paralympic shooting is practiced in at least 51 countries and first appeared in the Summer Paralympics at the 1976 Toronto Games
1976 Summer Paralympics
The 1976 Summer Paralympics were the fifth Paralympic Games to be held. They were held in Toronto, in the province of Ontario, Canada from August 3 to 11, 1976...
.
Athletes compete in rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
and pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
events from distances of 10, 25 and 50 metres, in men's, women's and mixed competitions. Shooting utilizes a functional classification system, which enables athletes from different disability classes to compete together either individually or in teams, with wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
users competing on equal level with standing shooters.
Shooting is governed by the International Paralympic Committee
International Paralympic Committee
The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions as the international federation for nine sports...
(IPC) and co-ordinated by the IPC Shooting Technical Committee following the modified rules of the International Shooting Sport Federation
International Shooting Sport Federation
The International Shooting Sport Federation is an organization that governs international shooting sports. While far from the only such organization, it is the one that is a member of the International Olympic Committee and so it is in charge of the Olympic shooting events. Not all ISSF shooting...
(ISSF). These rules consider the differences that exist between shooting for the able-bodied and shooting for persons with a disability.
Classification system
- SH1 - Shooters able to support a gun without a stand
- SH2 - Shooters requiring a gun support in order to shoot
- SH3 - Blind Shooters (sights seek sound-emitting targets)
Sub-classifications A, B and C define wheelchair backrest height depending on back and pelvic strength per athlete.
Equipment adaptations
Disabled shooters use exactly the same guns and clothing as able-bodied shooters. There are adaptations like the use of a shooting chair for competitors unable to stand, also a shooting table for events like kneeling or prone. A shortened shooting jacket is used for seated competitors, depending on chair height. Rules are covered by ISCD cross-referenced with ISSF rules.The only additional event is the 10m air rifle prone which is shot with both male and female shooters mixed together. Both sexes shooting 60 shots within 1 hour 30 minutes. Finals are also conducted. For the 10m air rifle prone mixed event, slings are optional for SH1 shooters. SH2 shooters are not allowed to use a sling in this event.
Rifle events
Air Rifle, 10m Range- Standing (Standing or seated, no elbow support)
- Kneeling (Seated, with single elbow support)
- Prone (Seated, with both elbows supported by a shooting table)
.22 Rifle, 50m Range
- English Match (.22 prone on ground or seated with both elbows supported by a shooting table)
- Mixed Men and Women, 60 shots.
3x20 .22 Rifle (women's event)
- Standing (Standing or seated, no elbow support)
- Kneeling (Seated, with single elbow support)
- Prone (Seated, with both elbows supported by a shooting table)
3x40 .22 Rifle (men's event)
- Standing
- Kneeling
- Prone
Competitions
Paralympic shooting events are held in competitions across the world, including the Summer ParalympicsShooting at the Summer Paralympics
Paralympic shooting has been competed at the Summer Paralympic Games since 1976. Events include men's, women's, and mixed events using rifles and pistols....
. The ASIAN Games for the Disabled, formerly known as the FESPIC Games
FESPIC Games
The FESPIC Games or the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled, was the biggest multi-sports games in the Asia and South Pacific region....
, and the Jikji Cup Asian Open Championships in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
are the biggest Paralympic shooting events in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. Both of these competitions serve as qualifying events for the Paralympic Games.