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. It has been part of the Paralympic Games since Toronto in 1976. Disabled athletes practice shooting in more than 50 countries today.
Shooting competitors use pistols or rifles to fire a series of shots at a stationary target. The objective is to place a series of shots inside the centre ring of the bulls-eye of the target. The target is comprised of 10 concentric scoring rings with a score grade from one to 10 from the outside ring in; the centre ring earns 10 points. In the final round, the rings are subdivided into more scoring zones with 10.9 being the highest possible score.
Events are divided into Air Rifle and Pistol competitions. Competitors compete from a standing position or wheelchair at three different distances: 10, 25 and 50metres. Competitors accumulate points based on the value of each shot. Each competition consists of a qualification and a final round. The score in the final round is added to the athlete's score in the qualification round. The winner is the competitor who gathers the most points by the end of the competition.
Shooters compete in all male, all female, or mixed-gender competitions. The rules of each event are dependent on the gun, distance, target, shooting position, number of shots and the time limit used. They take into account the differences that exist between shooting for the able-bodied and shooting for persons with a disability.
Shooting is governed by the IPC through the International Paralympic Shooting Committee following the modified rules of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). These rules take into account the differences that exist between shooting for the able-bodied and shooting for persons with a disability. The Shooting Federation of Canada is the National Sport Federation. (www.sfc-ftc.ca)
Classification
Paralympic shooting is open to any athlete with a physical disability provided they meet the minimum disability requirements for shooting.
Shooting utilizes a functional classification system, which enables athletes from different disability classes to compete together either individually or in teams. Depending on the existing limitations (degree of body trunk functionality, balance while seating, muscle strength, and mobility of both upper and lower limbs), and on the skills that are necessary in shooting, athletes are divided into three classes: SH1, SH2 and SH3 (Paralympic competition includes only classes SH1 and SH2). SH2 athletes may use a special support for the arm, which complies with IPC specifications.
Shooting classification is divided into three main classes SH1, SH2, and SH3.
SH1:Pistol and Rifle competitors that do not require a shooting stand.
SH2:Rifle competitors who have no ability to support the weight of the firearm with their arms and therefore require a shooting stand.
SH3:Rifle competitors with visual impairment.
SH1 and SH2 classifications include subgroups SH1A, SH1B, SH1C, SH2A, SH2B, and AH2C. Each subgroup allows different assistive devices in an attempt to equalize competition among the athletes of a particular class with different functional abilities. Some allowances are permitted in the SH1B and SH1C subclass to allow for an equal and fair competition between the three subclasses.
