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Version published: 4 April 2025

21.Chapter 21Para-Archery

21.1.Introduction

21.1.1.

This section is made up of bylaws only. It explains the additional rules which apply to classified para-athletes at all World Archery events.

21.1.2.

The Classification of Athletes is the core of Para Archery and is based on the definition of classification set out by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Prospective Para Athletes are assessed by international classifiers who place the athletes in the appropriate sport class recognised by World Archery and which is determined by the degree to which the athlete's impairment detracts from the ability to shoot a bow and arrow.

21.1.3.

In World Ranking Events, World Championships and Continental Championships, each athlete must compete in the category determined by the classification, for individuals rounds, doubles, and mixed teams, except the VI athletes under the conditions provided for in 21.12.1..
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21.2.Classification

21.2.1.

Athletes with a physical disability are assessed by a panel of two international classifiers. The classifiers shall allocate a class to each athlete and issue a classification card showing the class and the adaptive equipment the athlete is allowed to use.

21.2.2.

The classifiers handbook, as amended from time to time, shall be approved by the Executive Board and has the status of a bylaw.

21.3.Visually Impaired Classification

21.3.1.

Athletes with a visual impairment are classified according to the procedure laid out in the classifiers’ handbook.

21.4.Classes

The following classes are recognised for para-athletes in the bow divisions:

21.4.1.

Recurve:
Individual:
  • Women Open
  • Men Open
  • Women U21 Open
  • Men U21 Open
Doubles:
  • Women Open
  • Men Open
  • Women U21 Open
  • Men U21 Open
Mixed Team:
  • Recurve Open
  • Recurve U21 Open
Equipment rules are the same as Target Archery Rules.

21.4.2.

Compound:
Individual:
  • Women Open
  • Men Open
  • Women U21 Open
  • Men U21 Open
Doubles:
  • Women Open
  • Men Open
  • Women U21 Open
  • Men U21 Open
Mixed Team:
  • Compound Open
  • Compound U-21 Open
Equipment rules are the same as Target Archery Rules.

21.4.3.

W1 Open:
Individual:
  • Women W1 Open
  • Men W1 Open
  • Women U21 Open
  • Men U21 Open
Doubles:
  • Women W1 Open
  • Men W1 Open
  • Women U21 Open
  • Men U21 Open
Mixed team:
  • W1 Open
  • W1 U21 Open
For the W1 class, recurve or compound bows may be used. Equipment rules are the same as Target Archery Rules, with the following exceptions:
  • The peak draw weight of the bow is 45lbs;
  • No peep sights or scope sights are allowed;
  • Only one lip or nose mark is allowed;
  • Level device is not allowed;
  • Release aids are permitted.
For the W1 50m round and W1 50m match play and the W1 doubles and mixed team rounds, the full 80 cm target face will be used with the 10 scoring zone used for all rounds.
The timing rules for doubles apply the same as for mixed team.

21.4.4.

Visually Impaired (VI):
  • VI1
  • VI2-3
  • VI1 U21
  • VI2-3 U21
There shall be no distinction between men, women, compound or recurve within either division.
For the equipment rules of this division see 21.12. Visually Impaired Athletes.

21.4.5.

A para-archer may participate in an U21 Class in tournaments when the competition takes place up to and in the year of the athlete’s 20th birthday.

21.5.Classification cards

21.5.1.

All athletes are required to have a current international classification card which shall be shown to the Judges at equipment inspection. This enables Judges to check any adaptive equipment when checking the athlete's other equipment. Athletes without a classification, because they do not meet the criteria, are not permitted to compete in a category for athletes with a disability.

21.5.2.

Athletes who do not yet have an international classification card of any type shall still be allowed to compete, but the scores cannot count for World Ranking, World Records or obtaining any titles.
Para-Athletes at able-bodied events interpretation

21.6.Adaptive equipment

21.6.1.

Adaptive equipment is only allowed if permitted by Classifier and included on the athlete's classification card. Adaptive equipment is described on Rule Book 3, Appendix 2 - Appendix 2 - Adaptive Equipment

21.6.2.

An athlete who does not meet the criteria to be classified as a Para-athlete, may nevertheless require adaptive equipment to enable them to shoot a bow and arrow in general competition, but not to provide help to shoot well.
As soon as possible, athletes who do not meet the minimum criteria to be classified as a Para-athlete or who have non-eligible conditions to be classified, may apply to a World Archery committee to use an adaptive equipment. By-laws specifying the details of this system will be approved by the Executive Board and circulated in due course.

21.7.Rounds

21.7.1.

Rounds shot are the same as for able-bodied athletes with the exception of the VI Division which has its own rounds.

21.7.2.

Special provisions for all Team Rounds:

21.7.2.1.

Athletes may remain on the shooting line.

21.7.2.2.

When an athlete has finished shooting, the athlete shall raise one arm to signal the completion of shooting. The next athlete may not load an arrow on the bow until after this signal has been given.

21.7.2.3.

In the case of an athlete who is unable to raise an arm due to the athlete's disability, an appropriate signal shall be arranged with the Line Judge. This agreed signal may be physical and/or oral and will also apply if there is a Para athlete competing in an able-bodied team.

21.7.3.

Rounds
SPORT CLASSES
Event Recurve Open Compound Open W1 Visually Impaired
Women's Individual YES YES YES NO
Men's Individual YES YES YES NO
Individual (combined Women and Men) NO NO NO YES
Women's Double YES YES YES NO
Men's Double YES YES YES NO
Mixed Team YES YES YES NO
“Doubles” - teams that consist of two athletes of the same sex shooting in the same class.
“Mixed teams” - one woman and one man shooting in the same class.

21.8.Competitions

21.8.1.

  • Paralympic Games;
  • World Archery Para Championships;
  • World Ranking Events;
  • Continental Para Championships.
For the mentioned competitions, an athlete can compete in one class only. This applies to all classes for which the athlete is eligible.

21.8.2.

There may be 18m Para-archery events.
The competition can be shot Indoor or Outdoor.
Athletes compete in their age class as defined art 21.4.
The distance of shooting will be 18 meters and the target faces will be:
  • for the Recurve Open classes, the same as for the Recurve classes (7.2. Venue Equipment and Scoring Zones)
  • for the Recurve U21 Open classes, 40 cm 10 zones for qualification rounds and matchplay rounds
  • for the Compound Open classes, the same as for the Compound classes ([REF=778])
  • for the Compound U21 Open classes, 40 cm triple for qualification rounds and for the matchplay rounds.
  • for the W1 Classes: 40 cm 10 zones for qualification rounds and matchplay rounds.
  • for the W1 U21 Open classes, 60 cm 10 zones for qualification rounds and matches rounds

21.9.World records and awards

21.9.1.

Records can be set for all classes for the same Rounds shot by able-bodied athletes and with the addition of records for the VI Rounds and W1 rounds. When a VI 2/3 athlete is shooting in VI 1 under the conditions provided for in 21.12.1., the record will only be considered in VI 2/3 category.

21.9.2.

Records shot at World Archery Para Championships and Paralympic Games shall be automatically confirmed as soon as the scores are official.

21.9.3.

Records shot at other recognised tournaments shall be sent to World Archery Office not later than 10 days after the tournament in question by the Member Association to which the athlete belongs, together with the tournament results list and a declaration covering the requirements for World Records as defined in 5.5. Confirmation of World Records and the details of the classification.

21.10.World Ranking List

21.10.1.

A Para-Archery world ranking list shall be maintained.

21.11.Venue

21.11.1.

The competition and practice venues shall have all necessary equipment and suitable access conditions for wheelchair users as defined by IPC regulations (these regulations shall be reviewed by the Para-Archery Committee).

21.11.2.

Access from the venue entrance to the waiting and shooting lines shall be wheelchair accessible without assistance.

21.11.3.

Two or three athletes shall be placed on each target at Para-Archery Events. Wheelchair or other seated athletes may stay on the shooting line at all times.
Para-Athletes at able-bodied events interpretation

21.11.4.

For all Para-Archery Events the ground shall be marked as set out in the World Archery Rules except:
  • Each athlete shall be allocated a minimum of 1.25m;
  • Lanes for individual events shall be a minimum of 2.50m;
  • Lanes for doubles or mixed teams events shall be a minimum of 2.50m.
Para-Athletes at able-bodied events interpretation

21.12.Visually Impaired Athletes

21.12.1.

There will be two divisions for Visually Impaired athletes, VI1 and VI2 and VI3 combined. VI2/VI3 athletes will be those who have the IBSA archery classification of B2 or B3 which is determined by the degree of visual acuity.
The athlete in VI1 will wear blindfolds. The athletes in the VI2/VI3 division will not wear blindfolds. Athletes in both divisions will use a tactile sight and no other sight will be permitted.
If there are insufficient final entries in either or both divisions, a single competition combining all VI athletes will proceed with all VI athletes wearing a blindfold regardless of their respective classification. Where there is only the single division for VI athletes, Member Associations may enter a maximum of 6 VI athletes regardless of their respective classifications.

21.12.2.

A blindfold can be a sleep mask or wraparound glasses or goggles and shall be checked by the Judges during equipment inspection and may be re-checked at any time during the competition.

21.12.3.

When at the competition venue the blindfold shall be worn at all times while on the field of play including when setting up equipment, during practice and until the end of the athlete's competition for that day.

21.12.4.

The sighting device/stand must not represent an obstacle to other competitors.
The total width of the stand/foot locators shall be not more than 80 cms (31.5 inches).
The maximum depth of the functional part of the foot locators in contact with the athlete shall be not more than 6 cms (2.5 inches).
There shall be a space of not less than 90 cms (35.5 inches) between each tactile stand (measured from the nearest point of each stand). The size of the tactile sight may not exceed 2 cms in any direction and shall only be in contact with the back of the athlete's hand, between the wrist and the base of the fingers. It can sit between the knuckles but not between the fingers.

21.12.5.

Once set up, the tactile sight may be left on the field until the end of the athlete's competition for that day, and then removed.

21.12.6.

In the VI Olympic Round, target allocations shall be arranged so that athletes do not have to move targets even if this means that their opponent is not on an adjacent target.

21.12.7.

Athletes may shoot either recurve or compound bows within the same class. The compound bow may be shot with either fingers or a release aid. Compound bows are restricted to a peak draw weight of 45 pounds for both men and women.

21.12.8.

Rounds to be shot.

21.12.8.1.

The VI Outdoor Round consists of four times 36 arrows shot at 30m with the following target faces in this order:
  • The first 36 arrows on a 60cm face;
  • The next 36 arrows on an 80cm face;
  • The next 36 arrows on an 80cm face;
  • The final 36 arrows on a 122cm face.

21.12.8.2.

The VI 30m Round consists of 72 arrows shot at 30m on the 80cm face.

21.12.8.3.

The VI Paralympic Round is shot at 30m on the 80cm target face.
The Elimination and Final Rounds consist of:
  • The Elimination Round, in which the top 104 athletes (mandatory for World Para Archery Championships) are seeded according to their positions in the Qualifying Round (see Appendix 3, Book 2 - Match Play Charts). They shoot a series of matches in groups, each match consisting of the best of five sets of three arrows.
  • The Finals Round, in which the eight athletes remaining from the Elimination round shoot individual matches, each match consisting of the best of five sets of three arrows, culminating in the gold Medal match. At World Archery Championships the matches shall be shot one after the other. The athletes shall shoot alternately one arrow at a time.
  • The format may be amended to fit special stadiums and locations that are very attractive for archery. It is necessary to notify Member Associations at least one year in advance of the event;

21.12.8.4.

The VI Indoor Round consists of 60 arrows on a 60cm face shot at 18m. The full "recurve" 10 zone will be used for scoring purposes even if a compound bow is used.

21.12.8.5.

The VI Indoor Match Round is shot on 60cm faces and follows the other rules of the Indoor Match Round. The full "recurve" 10 zone will be used for scoring purposes even if a compound bow is used.

21.12.8.6.

All other World Archery rules apply.

21.12.9.

Spotters

21.12.9.1.

A VI athlete is permitted to have a person acting as a spotter who must sit behind the athlete 1m behind the shooting line.

21.12.9.2.

The role of the spotter is to tell the athlete the position of the arrows in the target face and also to inform them of any safety issues.

21.12.9.3.

The spotter shall not disturb the other athletes while giving coaching assistance.

21.12.9.4.

When the athlete has finished shooting, the spotter will go behind the waiting line. The athlete may remain on the shooting line throughout the shooting time or return behind the waiting line at the athlete's discretion.

21.12.9.5.

The spotter may only adjust the sight and/or set up equipment between practice and/or scoring ends. The spotter may guide the athlete to the target and back to the shooting line. The athlete may adjust the tactile sight at any time during the shooting.

21.12.9.6.

The spotter shall do the scoring for the athlete. Each athlete will sign their own score sheet.

21.12.9.7.

The athlete and spotter shall be recognisable as partners wearing the same uniform.

21.12.9.8.

During individual matches a VI athlete may have a spotter or a coach but not both.

21.12.10.

For all international tournaments and/or those tournaments registered with World Archery, no "assistant" or "support" dogs will be permitted on the field of play.