Classification

Classification:

Divisions and Classification

All events except Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, and Team Boccia will have separate

competition for men and women. Certain events will also have separate competition by

Division and by Class.

Division Definitions

Open: All sports and most events are offered in this division. A three-tiered classification system is used in this division for track, field, and swimming competition to provide fair competition for all dwarfs.

	Age range for Open division is 16 - 39 years, although junior and master level athletes may compete in Open division if they choose.
	Athletes in the OPEN division may compete IN JUNIOR or MASTER division events if they meet the age requirements. However, athletes cannot compete in more than one division per event.

Junior: The junior division is for athletes between the ages of 7 and 15. The division is divided into three age groups: 7-9 yr. olds, 10-12 yr. olds, and 13-15 yr. olds.

Athletes in the 13-15 year old division may compete in the OPEN division, providing prior classification into the Open classification system has taken place. If you wish to compete in both the JUNIOR and OPEN divisions, you must register in the OPEN division.

Master: Only limited events are offered in this division. Athletes must be 40 years old or older on the date of competition.

Athletes in the MASTER division may compete in OPEN division event if they register in the OPEN division.

Futures: This is for youth <7 yrs. old. Limited events are offered in this division: track, field, swimming, table tennis, and boccia.

Wheelchair: Athlete competes using a wheelchair, amigo, or similar mobility aid (Track, Field, Table Tennis). Athlete has limited mobility in two or more limbs, generally requiring adaptive appliances or mobility aids.

DAAA Classification System

Recognizing the diversity of body proportion types, height ranges, and mechanical advantages in the dwarf population, DAAA has instituted a classification system for the open division. This system allows the athletes to be grouped by body proportions and height, thus allowing fair competition based on technique and ability, rather than mechanical advantage.

	Classification is used in track, field, swimming, and basketball.
	The system is based on segregation of body proportion types of dwarfism. Athletes with average trunk/short extremity length are not forced to compete against athletes with short trunk/long extremity length.
	AAA considers cases of extremely short stature, regardless of body proportion type, when assigning classes.
	Three classes are recognized. The descriptions of these classes are as follows:

Class I: Athletes who have very short limbs with an average sized trunk. Athletes with extremely short stature in comparison to other dwarfs are placed in this class also.

Class 2: Athletes who have short limbs with an average sized trunk.

Class 3: Athletes who have short limbs in relation to an average sized trunk, yet not as severe as those in class 2. Athletes who have long limbs with a short trunk.