Enligjtening is the section where you can learn about the different para-athletics specialities during the World Para Athletics Championships – PARIS’23. Today, let’s take a look at the specifics of throwing events.
From July 8 to 17, 2023, 60 throwing competitions will take place on both ends of the lawn, in the heart of the Charléty Stadium. In front of the classification number you will find the letter F, which stands for Field.
Shot Put
The presentation begins with the shot put. In total, 31 competitions will take place, with 19 different categories of handicaps. Depending on the handicap, the throw will be made either standing or seated, and the weight will be more or less heavy (between 2kg, for more severe handicaps, and 7.260kg, for milder handicaps).
Athletes standing:
- Visually impaired: F11 (blind with assistant), F12 (very visually impaired with or without assistant)
- People with intellectual disabilities : F20
- Impairments of cerebral origin: F35(impairment of both lower limbs), F36(balance and/or coordination disorders), F37(impairment of one side of the body), F38(one or other of the 3 preceding classes but less severely affected).
- Small sizes : F40, F41
- Amputee or similar athletes: F46 (limited movement of an arm or amputation above the elbow)
- Athletes with fitted lower limb(s): F63(absence of lower limb above knee), F64(absence of lower limb below knee)
Sitting athletes:
- Cerebral palsy: F32(very limited movement of all 4 limbs), F33(very limited movement of lower limbs and moderately limited movement of upper body), F34(very limited movement of lower limbs and little or no limitation of upper body).
- Paralyzed or amputee athletes: F53 (very limited trunk and lower body movement), F54 (amputation, lower limb deformities or paralyzed lower body), F57 (limited movement of one leg or absence of limb).
In a throwing contest, each participant must make a total of six throws. In a standing event, participants take turns throwing. On the other hand, for the seated events, the six throws are done in a row. The participants being strapped to a chair fixed to the ground, it allows a better fluidity in the contest.
At the end of the six throws, the best distance of each competitor is taken and this determines the final ranking.
Javelin Throw
For the javelin throw, 13 competitions will be present at the World Championships, and 9 disability categories will be represented. According to the handicap, the throw will be done standing or sitting and the javelin will be more or less heavy (between 400g and 800g).
Athletes standing
- Visually impaired: F13 (visually impaired without assistant)
- Cerebral Palsy: F38 (mild limitation of the lower limbs, one side of the body or the whole body)
- Small sizes : F41
- Amputee or similar athletes: F46 (limited movement of an arm or amputation above the elbow)
- Athletes with lower limb(s) : F64 (absence of a lower limb below the knee)
Sitting athletes:
- Cerebral palsy: F34 (very limited movement of lower limbs and little or no limitation of upper body)
- Paralyzed or amputee athletes: F54 (Amputation, malformations of lower limbs or paralyzed lower body), F56(progressive impairment of upper legs to feet, or absence of limbs), F57(limited movement of one leg or absence of limbs).
The competition is carried out in the same way as for the shot put.
Discus Throw
The discus throw this time, there will be 12 events during the ten days of competition and 9 categories of handicaps will be present. According to the handicap, the throw will be done standing or sitting and the disc will be more or less heavy (between 750g and 2kg).
Athletes standing:
- Visually impaired: F11 (blind with assistant)
- Cerebral palsy: F37 (impairment of one side of the body), F38 (mild limitation of the lower limbs, one side of the body or the whole body).
- Small sizes : F41
- Athletes with fitted lower limb(s) (standing) : F64 (absence of a lower limb below the knee)
Sitting athletes:
- Paralyzed or Amputee Athletes: F52 (limited arm movement, very limited movement of the rest of the body), F53 (very limited trunk and lower body movement), F55 (very limited leg movement or absence of both limbs), F56 (progressive impairment from the upper legs to the feet, or absence of limbs)
As for the shot put and javelin throw, the competition takes place under the same conditions. The weight of the disc, however, the environment is different. Each throw is made in a cage for safety reasons.
Club Throw
We finish with the club throw. There will be 4 contests for this event with two categories:
- Cerebral palsy: F32 (very limited movement of the 4 limbs)
- Paralyzed or amputee athletes: F51 (very limited movement of all 4 limbs)
The 6 throws are performed in succession and only in a seated position. For the club throw, the conditions are similar to the discus throw, each throw is done in a cage for safety reasons. The object weighs 397g for both categories, men and women combined.
All these classes aim to make competitions fair. The idea is to avoid that the least handicapped always wins.
COME AND ADMIRE THE THROWING EVENTS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES AT THE CHARLÉTY STADIUM!
