Classification

Without classification there is no Para sport. It is crucial to the integrity and fairness of Para sport competition.
Classification determines which athletes are eligible to compete and how they are grouped together for sports competition.
The aim of classification is to group together athletes whose impairments affect them in similar ways in their sport.
Para sport classification is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight.

What happens during Classification?

Classification occurs in 4 main stages with various steps within these phases:

Stage 1: Underlying Health Condition Assessment (completed in advance):

1. Athlete submits Medical Diagnostic Form with supported medical tests and reports to confirm diagnosis.

2. Documentation gets reviewed by classifiers to verify diagnosed underlying health condition

Stage 2 and 3: In Person Evaluation

Completed on the day to assess the athlete's eligible impairment and whether it meets the minimum impairment criteria defined by World Para Powerlifting.

3. Completion of informed consent form
4. Medical and Physical evaluation
5. Sport Specific Technical evaluation

Stage 4: Allocation of Sport Class and Status

Occurs following the in person evaluation but may be subject to observation in competition

6. Observation in Competition

7. Receive Outcome - designation of sport class and status

8. Explanation of outcome

For more information on the classification process see the fact sheets in the folowing link:

Classification Education and Resources.

Classification in Para Powerlifting

Para powerlifting is open to athletes with one or multiple of the eight eligible physical impairments.

All athletes have an impairment in their lower limbs or hips that meets the minimum impairment criteria to compete in Para powerlifting.

Eligible Impairment Types

Eligible Impairments	Description	Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC)
Ataxia	Lack of coordination of muscle movements due to a neurological condition. For example: Cerebral palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis.	Observable motor pattern changes using a heel to shin and/or toe to finger test.
Athetosis	Generally characterised by unbalanced, involuntary movements and a difficulty in maintaining a symmetrical posture, due to a neurological condition. For example: Cerebral palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis.	Observable motor pattern changes using a heel to shin and/or toe to finger test.
Hypertonia	Abnormal increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch, due to a neurological condition. For example: Cerebral palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis.	A minimum 2+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale in one or both limbs at any joint.
Impaired muscle power	Reduced force generated by muscles or muscle groups in one or both lower limbs. For example: Spinal cord injury, spina bifida, polio.	A 20-point decrease in muscle power of one or both lower limbs using manual muscle testing (MRC) at the hip, knee and ankle.
Impaired passive range of motion	Passive range of motion permanently reduced in one or both hip or knee joints. For example: Arthrogryposis, trauma-related injuries.	A minimum deficit or more than 60deg hip extension or 30deg knee extension in one or both limbs.
Leg length difference	Bone shortening in one leg. For example: Trauma-related injury, congenital deficiency.	Minimum 7cm difference between left and right leg.
Limb deficiency	Partial or complete absence of bones or joints due trauma or illness. For example; Amputation or congenital limb deficiency.	Amputation or congenital limb deficiency through at least one ankle joint including calcaneus or above.
Short Stature	Reduced standing height due to abnormal dimensions of the body. For example: Achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, osteogenesis imperfecta.	Standing height less than or equal to 145cm (males) and 140cm (females).

Para-Powerlifting Sport Classes

Athletes with a Physical Impairment

Eligible (E): Athletes have an eligible impairment which meets the MIC for the sport

Not Eligible (NE): Athlete does not meet the MIC for the Para sport classes but may still be able to compete.

Contact Paralympics Australia for more information

Find out more:

To get involved or for more information contact us here.

Note: The classification information provided is intended as a guide only. Only authorised classifiers are able to provide a formal classification in accordance with the rules of the sport.

Download - Paralympics Australia Classification Document

Australian Classification Masterlist

The Australian Classification Masterlist is a list of athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per World Para powerlifting’s Classification Rules or Paralympics Australia’s Classification Policy.