Understanding the Paralympic Classification of our Team Mintridge Tokyo Paralympians thanks to Lexi Global!

It’s all begun, and we couldn’t be more excited to cheer on the Mintridge Foundation’s Dan Powell, Laura Sugar & Emma Wiggs MBE!

Thanks to the brilliant team at Lexi Global, we now have an easy to use explanation of the different classifications of our superstars by using a single graphic system.

First to hit our screens will be the main man himself, Dan Powell in the -81kg category. The 2020 Paralympics Judo will get underway on Friday 27th August at the home of judo. For live coverage of the Judo, click here and to ensure that you don’t miss Dan, follow the schedule here.

Judo is for visually impaired athletes who begin each fight in a hold and must not move outside of the mat. Completely blind fighters are allowed occasional steps outside. To learn more, click here.

GREEN INDICATES NO IMPAIRMENT.RED INDICATES A HIGH DEGREE OF IMPAIRMENT.YELLOW AND ORANGE INDICATE A LOW OR MODERATE DEGREE OF IMPAIRMENT. — **GREEN INDICATES NO IMPAIRMENT.**
**RED INDICATES A HIGH DEGREE OF IMPAIRMENT.**
**YELLOW AND ORANGE INDICATE A LOW OR MODERATE DEGREE OF IMPAIRMENT.**

We have a little longer to wait for the Sugar and Wiggs combination, but we know that it will be worth the wait! The 2020 Paralympics Canoe will get underway on Thursday 2nd September. Who will be joining Mintridge HQ to get up in the night and watch the live coverage on Channel 4 just here? The schedule is just here.

Emma, coached by Matt Lawrence is the reigning Paralympic Champion in the KL2 200m event and the reigning VL2 200m World Champion.

KL2 is for paddlers with moderately affected movement in the hips and legs, the absence of two legs above the knee or one leg entirely. These paddlers have good control of the upper and lower body providing good balance. They propel the boat using the arms and trunk. More information can be found on the LEXI GLOBAL website here.

Emma is also in the VL2 category which is for paddlers with movement highly affected in the lower trunk and legs, moderately in the mid trunk and legs or the absence of legs. These paddlers have reduced balance and propel the boat just using the arms and torso. More information can be found here thanks to LEXI GLOBAL.

Coached by Colin Radmore, Laura Sugar will be competing in the KL3 category at the Tokyo Paralympics after her first international competition only being in 2019! There is no stopping her… KL3 paddlers have moderately affected movement in one leg, highly affected in one foot and ankle or the absence of limbs. These paddlers have full power in the arms and torso, and are able to drive through the legs to propel the boat. More information can be found here thanks to Lexi Global.

Did you know that Laura Sugar also competed in Rio 2016 in athletics? Wow! Laura was in the T44 100m and 200m.

T44 is for athletes with movement affected at a low or moderate degree in one lower leg. They have unaffected knee joints allowing for controlled power delivery by they must focus harder to sense and grip the track surface whilst maintaining good running posture and symmetry.

Watch her below!

There’s also the minor detail that Laura Sugar competed in able bodied international hockey…three sports, no biggy!

Thank you Lexi Global, your easy to use system has helped us hugely. If you are enjoying the Paralympics and would like to understand the classifications more, head to Lexi’s website here.

Well, all that is left to say now is GO WELL TEAM MINTRIDGE – enjoy the journey and thank you for inspiring so many. We are very proud.

Thank you to our Media Partners at the Times and Sunday Times for your recent articles on our Ambassadors. You can view the articles here to see just what they have been through to get to these Games! Inspire a generation? You bet.

If you would like to understand more about our mentoring programmes with Paralympians and how they can support the young people at your school or club, please contact Katie Smith.

If you are considering supporting the Mintridge Foundation as a business, organisation or as an individual, head to our SUPPORT US page below.

SUPPORT TEAM MINTRIDGE

The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. We provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models. The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport.

Our team of Ambassadors - Olympians, Paralympians and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, our ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology such as Fitswarm and Playwaze to build a lasting legacy for individuals.

The Mintridge Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation. Understanding life after sport, we also support our Ambassadors in their transition from active sport to the next stage of their careers.

The Mintridge Foundation

Unit 4, Shieling Court

Northfolds Road

Corby

Northants

NN18 9QD

Tel: +44 (0) 1536 447106

info@mintridge.org.uk

www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk