The sport was introduced to the Paralympics at the 1964 Summer Paralympics for men and at the 2000 Summer Paralympics for women. Only wheelchair classified athletes were eligible to compete at the 1964 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo in this sport. This continued at the 1968 Summer Paralympics in Tel Aviv. Competitors with cerebral palsy classifications were allowed to compete at the Paralympics for the first time at the 1984 Summer Paralympics. At the 1992 Summer Paralympics, all disability types were eligible to participate, with classification being run through the International Paralympic Committee and the International Blind Sports Association, with classification being done based on blindness and or weight. At the 2000 Summer Paralympics, 44 assessments were conducted at the Games. This resulted in 1 class change, which was PPS protested by a national Paralympic committee and the classification was upheld. For the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case by case basis. In case there was a need for classification or reclassification at the Games despite best efforts otherwise, powerlifting classification was scheduled for September 7 at Riocentro-Pavilion 2.