Armwrestling vs Para Armwrestling — Same Game, Different Rules

Table: WAF-spec armwrestling table — 104 cm tall, 91-93 cm long; padded elbow pads (20 cm × 20 cm); padded pegs/handles for non-pulling hand; Touch pads: 10 cm × 5 cm padded pads on each side, level with the table surface; competitor wins by pinning opponent's hand to this pad; Center grip line m...

WAF-spec armwrestling table (104 cm tall × 91-93 cm long, padded elbow pads + pegs + touch pads); Adaptive seating: wheelchair-accessible table configuration; padded chair with back support for athletes who compete seated; Standard apparel: short-sleeve shirt (mid-bicep maximum); no jewelry; trim...

Multiple tables arranged in parallel at major events (separate Right-Arm + Left-Arm tables); Designated warm-up area with practice tables; Athlete weighing station + medical station + protest table on-site

Wheelchair-accessible competition floor with accessible warm-up + medical areas; Designated parallel-table layout suitable for both standing + seated athletes; Classification + medical assessment station on-site

Two competitors per match (1-on-1); Weight classes: Men 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, +110 kg; Women 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, +80 kg; Age categories: Sub-Junior (15-16), Junior (17-18), Senior (open), Masters (40-50), Grand Masters (50+), Para

Two competitors per match; Classifications: WAF-defined disability classes for ambulatory + seated athletes (broadly: WW1-WW4 wheelchair classes, AW1-AW2 ambulatory); Weight classes follow WAF individual schedule (with potential consolidated lighter divisions in Para)

Both elbows on elbow pads; non-pulling hand grips peg; Grip set by competitors with referee assist (referee may center the grip if needed); Wrists straight, thumb knuckles visible, shoulders square to table

Starting position: elbows on pads; non-pulling hand grips peg; foot on floor (ambulatory) OR seated with back-support (wheelchair); Referee centers grip + calls "Ready... Go!"; Win condition: pin opponent's hand to touch pad

1 point per round won (within match); Match = best of 3 rounds; first to 2 wins; Championships: single-elimination bracket with double-loss elimination ("repechage") in many WAF formats

1 point per round won; best of 3 wins match; Tournament: single-elimination bracket with double-loss elimination (repechage) per classification; Gold/Silver/Bronze per weight class per arm per disability class

Elbow off pad: warning (1st), loss of round (2nd within match); Shoulder off-line / non-pulling hand off peg: warning; Slip out / forearm crossing center line: dependent on cause — if defender's fault, no foul; if attacker, warning

Standard WAF foul taxonomy: elbow off pad, shoulder off-line, foot off floor (ambulatory) or seat-displacement (seated), false start, grip break; Anti-doping: WAF + WADA Code aligned; Classification fraud: lifetime ban

Armwrestling injuries are most commonly spiral fractures of the humerus (caused by sudden rotational force, often when competitor "breaks" their arm posture under high torque), shoulder strain, and elbow ligament damage. WAF mandates proper warm-u...

Same primary injury risk as able-bodied armwrestling: spiral humerus fractures, shoulder strain, elbow ligament damage. Pre-competition medical clearance + classification-specific clearance.