Shooting Para sport

Targets vary in size depending on the event. In the 10m air rifle event the whole target is 4.5cm in diameter and the central ring is just half a millimetre across. After London 2012 the qualification system in most rifle events changed to one decimal point as many competitors were scoring the maximum 600. The top score for a shot is now 10.9.

Events are held in both pistol and rifle shooting. Air weapons are shot over 10m and .22 calibre weapons over 50m. There is also a 25m pistol event.

In rifle there are events in both standing and prone positions. In prone events the athlete can rest their elbows on a table to give added stability, whilst in standing they must shoot in an unsupported position. There is an additional kneeling position in the three position 50m rifle events.

Of the 12 Paralympic shooting events, six are mixed - open to men and women - while there are three competitions for men and a further three for women. In each event each competitor takes a specified number of shots at the target in a set time period - 40 shots in women’s air pistol and rifle, 120 in men’s three position and 60 in the remaining events.

After the qualification round the eight top scoring athletes go through to a 20 shot final where all scores are reset to zero. The shots in the final are scored to one decimal place, with a top score of 10.9. After the first eight shots, and every two shots thereafter, the lowest place shooter is eliminated until only two remain for the final two shots.