Saturday, November 18th, 2023.- Wheelchair rugby is a relatively new sport in the Parapan American Games, while Para archery and Para sport shooting are more traditional. All three will see action in Santiago 2023. 

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY 

This innovative discipline combines elements of traditional rugby, basketball, and handball. Contact between wheelchairs is not only allowed but is a fundamental part of the game, as they are used to block opponents, provided there is no physical contact. 

Teams consist of four players, and the objective, like the traditional version of this sport, is to cross the opponent's try line with the ball, scoring a point. 

A player's disability level has seven different classifications, ranging from 0.5 to 3.5. The lower the score, the higher the degree of disability. The sum of the players' scores on the field must not exceed 8. Teams are mixed and can earn an additional half point for each female member participating in the game. 

The court measures 28 meters in length (plus 5 additional meters beyond the try line) by 15 meters in width. The game lasts 32 minutes, divided into four periods of 8 minutes. 

Each team's attack has a time limit of 40 seconds; if they do not score within that time, they must give the ball to the opponent. Additionally, players have 12 seconds to cross the halfway line. 

PARA ARCHERY 

There are three types of tests in the individual male, female, and mixed team categories. 

In the open recurve bow category, the target measures 122 cm in diameter, with values ranging from one to 10, located 70 meters from the shooting line. 

In the open compound bow category, the target measures 80 cm in diameter, with values from five to 10, and is located 50 meters from the shooting line. 

In both categories, athletes have significant limitations in trunk and lower limb activity. Many of them use wheelchairs. 

Finally, the W1 test groups athletes who have functional loss in both upper and lower limbs, requiring modification of the bow trigger to be able to shoot. All use wheelchairs and can use either recurve or compound bows. 

PARA SPORT SHOOTING 

Due to its sports classification system, this discipline allows athletes who use wheelchairs and those with different types of disabilities to compete together. 

In the SH1 class, athletes who can hold the weapon without support are grouped, while SH2 is for those who need support. 

In the competition, athletes must shoot a firearm or compressed air gun, which can be a rifle or a pistol, and hit a target divided into 10 concentric rings. Shots are taken from different positions (standing, sitting, and lying down) and at different distances: 10, 25, and 50 meters. 

Written by Alejandro Pérez; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Adrian Aylwin / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport