Ross Wilson classification

Men’s class 8 World number two Ross Wilson underwent a classification review by ITTF PTT yesterday with the result that he has been reclassified as a class 9 athlete for the ITTF European Para Table Tennis Championships in Sheffield this week but will remain under observation during the tournament after which a final decision on his classification will be made.

As a result, Wilson will now compete in the men’s class 9 singles and is still eligible to compete in the men’s class 18 doubles with Joshua Stacey.

Wilson, 28, has been a class 8 athlete since he made his international debut in 2011 after being diagnosed with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. He was confirmed as a class 8 after reviews in 2013, 2015 and 2019.

There are 11 different classifications in Para table tennis: 1-5 for those competing in wheelchairs, 6-10 for those who play standing and 11 for standing athletes with an intellectual disability.

Athletes are assessed and allocated a number between 1 and 10, depending on their functional ability - reach, muscle strength, locomotive restrictions, balance and ability to grip the bat. In the wheelchair category those competing in class 1 have the highest level of impairment with class 6 being for standing athletes with the highest level of impairment.