Wheelchair rugby classification is the seven class system that assigns players a point value based on functional mobility to ensure parity in athletic ability on the court at any given time.
[5] Lower leg amputation competitors are allowed to participate in wheelchair sport following classification rules for them based on functional mobility.
In 2010, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation formally separated from IWAS and took over management of classification of their sport themselves.
[14] There were 4 classification appeals lodged for wheelchair rugby at the 2000 Summer Paralympics involving 3 athletes which resulted in 1 class change.
This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations.
Wheelchair rugby competitors were an exception to this rule in that players under Review status for their classification would be eligible to compete in Rio.
[17] Going forward, disability sport's major classification body, the International Paralympic Committee, is working on improving classification to be more of an evidence-based system as opposed to a performance-based system so as not to punish elite athletes whose performance makes them appear in a higher class alongside competitors who train less.