Asian Para Games classifications: why athletes compete in sport classes
An introduction to sport-specific classification and why medal events use labels such as SH1, T47 and J2.
Para-sport classification groups eligible athletes according to the impact of an impairment on the activities required by a particular sport. The exact rules are sport-specific, so a class label should be read using the relevant sport's classification system.
Why classification exists
Classification aims to structure competition so that eligible athletes compete in groups based on how their impairment affects performance in that sport. It is not a simple ranking of disability or athletic ability.
Labels differ across sports. For example, SH1 is used in shooting classification, T47 is an athletics class, and J2 is a judo sport class. Their meanings cannot be swapped between sports or interpreted from the letters alone.
Reading medal announcements
When a report says an athlete won in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 or Men’s Long Jump T47, the event label is part of the official competition category. It helps readers distinguish the medal event, not just the athlete's sport.
For exact eligibility and class descriptions, consult the governing body for that sport and the event regulations. This explainer does not replace a formal classification decision.
Editorial note
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Frequently asked questions
Does SH1 mean the same thing as T47?
No. They belong to different sport classification systems.