Paralympic powerlifting classification

Paralympic powerlifting classification is the system designed for disability based powerlifting to insure that there is level competition across a range of disabilities. Categories are broken down based on weight. The sport's classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee Powerlifting. People with physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport.

Powerlifting classification at the Paralympic Games is the basis for determining who can compete in the sport, and within which weight class. The purpose of classification is to allow athletes to compete fairly against each other. Entry is eligible to athletes who, through physical impairment to the legs or hips are unable to compete in able-bodied competition. Athletes are classified based on their body weight.

The sport's classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee Powerlifting. IPC Powerlifting is responsible for the rules and regulations governing powerlifting classification: the most recent of which were published in the IPC Powerlifting: Classification Rules and Regulations handbook of 2011. In Australia, the Australian Paralympic Committee is the National Federation for powerlifting. In 1983, the rules for this sport and approval for classification was done by the International Powerlifting Federation.

As of 2012^[update], people with physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport. Athletes must have an impairment in the hips or legs which prevents them from competing in able-bodied competition. This includes lower limb amputees, people with cerebral palsy or spinal injuries, and les autres who are classified as having a disability. Lifters must have both arms and be able to lift with no more than a loss of 20 degrees on full extension of both elbows. In 1983, Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) set the eligibility rules for classification for this sport. They defined cerebral palsy as a non-progressive brain lesion that results in impairment. People with cerebral palsy or non-progressive brain damage were eligible for classification by them. The organisation also dealt with classification for people with similar impairments. For their classification system, people with spina bifida were not eligible unless they had medical evidence of loco-motor dysfunction. People with cerebral palsy and epilepsy were eligible provided the condition did not interfere with their ability to compete. People who had strokes were eligible for classification following medical clearance. Competitors with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and arthrogryposis were not eligible for classification by CP-ISRA, but were eligible for classification by International Sports Organisation for the Disabled for the Games of Les Autres.

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