Our Para-Badminton player, Mr. Cheyang Kinchap, Para-Badminton Coach, Mr. Dorji, and Physiotherapist, Ms. Tandin Wangmo, are currently participating in various training programs and workshops in Japan from 17th to 27th October 2024.
Mr. Cheyang Kinchap is undergoing the Player Training Camp to further enhance his skills and performance.
Coach Dorji is participating in the Disability Coaching Workshop Level 1, focusing on developing advanced coaching techniques.
Furthermore, Coach Dorji and athlete Cheyang Kinchap will represent Bhutan at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024, a Grade 2 tournament, from 22nd to 27th October in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Kinchap will compete in the Standing Lower 3 (SL3) category, showcasing Bhutan’s growing participation in international Para-badminton.
Ms. Tandin Wangmo is attending the National Classifier Workshop Level 1 from 19th to 23rd October, gaining crucial expertise in Para Badminton athlete classification.
This program is generously funded by Badminton Asia (BA) and the Bhutan Paralympic Committee (BPC). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to BPC and BA for their invaluable support in making these opportunities possible.
Para-Badminton Background:
The Standing Lower 3 (SL3) category is designed for athletes with moderate to severe impairments in one or both lower limbs, affecting their movement, strength, and balance on the court. Players in this category may have conditions like limb deficiency, restricted joint movement, or muscle weakness, making it challenging to move swiftly across the court.
Athletes in SL3 will compete in a half-court for singles matches to ensure fairness.
Overview of Para-Badminton
Para-Badminton is an adaptive form of badminton introduced to provide competitive opportunities for athletes with physical impairments. It became part of the Paralympic Games for the first time in Tokyo 2020, marking a significant milestone in inclusive sports.
The sport has six different classifications:
Wheelchair 1 (WH1) and Wheelchair 2 (WH2): For athletes requiring a wheelchair.
Standing Lower 3 (SL3) and Standing Lower 4 (SL4): For athletes with lower-limb impairments.
Standing Upper (SU5): For athletes with upper-limb impairments.
Short Stature (SH6): For athletes with short stature due to conditions like dwarfism.
Para-Badminton competitions, organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), provide athletes with disabilities the chance to compete at both national and international levels, fostering inclusivity, awareness, and talent development across the globe.
Participation in international events like the Japan Para Badminton International helps Bhutanese athletes like Cheyang Kinchap gain experience, improve skills, and inspire others at home to pursue para-sports.
