Constantinou- the First Para-Badminton player of Cyprus

According to the Cyprus Para-Badminton updates 2018, Constantinos Constantinou is the first Para-badminton player of Cyprus. He is pleased as the shuttler took part in two BWF Para-badminton International tournaments in the current year. Including the Spanish Para-Badminton International, held in Mallorca (March 6-11) and FZ Forza Irish Para-Badminton International (June 20-24).

Different Status

In both the tournaments, Constantinou received an ‘R’ status by the BWF Classification team. He is really hoping to be classified as ‘C’ for the next tournament. The status ‘R’ means that a player is under the Review of the selection panel and ‘C’ means the player is confirmed to play for the tournament. At both the classifications, Constantinou was grouped in the Standing Lower 4 (SL4) Sport Class. For getting the ‘C’ status, more medical documents and proofs are required by the BWF Classification team.

Constantinou, as quoted in Badminton Europe,ʺI have to make some X-rays exams for my ankle. We have to do them, so I can complete my classification and gain the right to participate and continue my fight to qualify for the Paralympic Games. The nearest tournament (in Europe) in which I could be classified again is in France during the European Para-Badminton Championships in October, ˮ

He also cited, ʺThe tournament (in Dublin) was great. It was very organized, and it is my honor to participate in such events. The feeling was amazing to compete with other players and of course I want to participate in more tournaments. I also know that I need more practice. Sometimes my leg gets swollen after work and makes practice impossible. I will try and commit myself, though, in a more systematical and professional trainingˮ

On the other hand, the Cyprus Badminton Federation is totally in the support for the enhancement of the Para-Badminton in Cyprus. As cited in Badminton Europe, Nephie Economiou said, ʺWe are very happy as a federation that Constantinos has been approved and classified to be able to take part in para-badminton tournaments. It was in our goals and finally we made the first step. We will support Constantinos and I am sure that he will be a great example for para-badminton in Cyprus, ˮ

Constantinou is constantly trying to do his best. He has been extremely motivated and zealous for the future events. He conquered against Bobby Griffin of England and Tim Haller of Germany at the FZ Forza Irish Para-Badminton International. In both the matches Constantinou won in the Men’s Singles category. Both the shuttlers; Griffin and Haller are higher ranked SL4 players. 

ʺI am sure with some physiotherapy sessions included and professional guidance, things will go better. If I get a final completed classification I will probably look for a different job that will enable me to train even better.  At the moment I really feel that my condition is way beyond the level that it should be. I get really tired in big rallies.  If I manage to improve in this part of my training, I think that I can succeed in my short-term goal which is to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The most important thing right now is to improve on my fitness, ˮ Constantinou explained, as mentioned in Badminton Europe.

The idea behind ‘R’

All the shutters who receive the ‘R’ status are subjected to the go through the procedure of reclassification again in the upcoming tournament, which they aim to emulate. There is no time bound for the second reclassification process. There can be many reasons due to which a shuttler can receive an ‘R’ status, such as insufficient medical information, insufficient information to keep the player in the Sport Class, border line between the upper and lower class, progressivity of the disability etc. However, the reasons to receive the ‘R’ status are not limited to the conditions mentioned above.