ARW1

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ARW1 is a Paralympic archery class for athletes who shoot from a wheelchair and have severe impairment in all four limbs. It mainly includes people with tetraplegia and some Les Autres athletes.

Key points:
- Who can compete: athletes with serious four-limb impairment who use a wheelchair. In some cases, Les Autres groups (LAF1 and LAF2) may compete in ARW1 or ARW2 depending on their abilities.
- Subclasses: ARW1-C is a sub-class for athletes with greater handicap within ARW1, allowed to compete in national or development rounds and sometimes in higher classes internationally.
- Upper body function: ARW1 is distinguished from ARW2 by the amount of usable upper-body movement and strength.
- What is allowed: archers may use any wheelchair, with supports or straps to help stay stable. An assistant may knock the bow for the archer and must wear the same uniform. Compound bows are allowed; draw limits are 45 lb for men and 35 lb for women.
- Competition format: events are held from a seated position at a 70-meter distance with a 122 cm target (Olympic round format at some events). The archer’s bow arm must not receive support from the assistant.
- Classification process: done by World Archery (FITA). It uses at least three classifiers, including a medical professional, to evaluate movement and strength of the arms, legs, and back. National classifications are done by national classifiers.
- History and terms: a version of this class first appeared in 1998 as W1. By 2008 it was called ARW1. World Archery and Paralympic officials have described ARW1 as for athletes who shoot from wheelchairs with severe four-limb impairment.
- Policy notes: the 2016 Rio Games followed a zero-classification-at-the-Games policy, so athletes needed to be classified before competition unless an exception was made.

In short, ARW1 is for wheelchair athletes with severe four-limb impairment, with a sub-class (ARW1-C) for those with greater handicap, and it is defined by upper-body function, wheelchair use, and standardized classification rules.