At least 12 athletes will compete in VI1 and VI2/3 categories at the Donaueschingen 2015 World Archery Para Championships on 23-30 August in Germany, marking the re-introduction of visually impaired divisions at world competitions.

It will be the first time since 2009 that athletes with visual impairments will compete at the World Archery Para Championships.

Three national teams have already registered a total of 12 athletes to compete in Donaueschingen, Germany.

Archers from Australia, USA, Great Britain and any other nations that register in advance of the 25 June deadline will be ranked over a 72-arrow qualification round shot over 30 metres and using a full-size 80-centimetre diameter target face, before progressing to head-to-head brackets decided by the set-system.

There are two competition categories in visually impaired archery: VI1 and VI2/3.

Athletes competing in VI1 must wear blindfolds or black-out glasses while competing. Both VI1 and VI2/3 athletes use tactile sights and are permitted an assistant sitting or standing one metre behind the shooting line.

The assistant relays information about the position of arrows in the target, safety issues and helps with scoring.

Classification for the visually impaired archery divisions will be held in Donaueschingen immediately before the event by classifiers from the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA). The classification procedure differs from other para-archery categories, resembling a trip to the optician or an eye specialist and using much of the same specialised equipment.

This event will be the only opportunity for athletes with a visual impairment to become classified in 2015. As there will be only one panel of visually impaired archery classifiers at the World Archery Para Championships, there will be no opportunity for protest.

It is hoped that the inclusion of visually impaired archery at the worlds will be the first step in having the discipline formally recognised in countries around the world.

Below are the timeline for athletes with visual impairments hoping to compete in Donaueschingen 2015:

– Visually impaired athletes WAREOS registration deadline extended without penalty until 26 June 2015. (All other categories: deadline 25 May 2015)

– Visually impaired athlete medical forms submitted to World Archery office before 11 July 2015.

– Visually impaired classification on site immediately before event.

– Donaueschingen 2015 World Archery Para Championships held from 23-30 August.

For more information visit the World Archery web site.

Sources: IPC and World Archery Federation.