First World Taekwondo Virtual Championships in 2024 in Singapore (Photo by World Taekwondo)
Virtual Taekwondo has officially been included in the programme of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, marking another major milestone for the innovative discipline developed by World Taekwondo.
The competition will take place on October 2 at the Toyohashi City General Gymnasium in Japan, featuring a mixed-gender individual event where male and female athletes aged between 17 and 35 will compete together. The 16-player tournament will be contested in a single-elimination format.
The decision was finalised during the Asian Games Organising Committee Board today and subsequently approved by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Virtual Taekwondo combines Taekwondo techniques with cutting-edge virtual reality technology. Athletes compete using VR headsets and motion-tracking systems that translate their movements into a virtual arena. Competitors perform inside a 4m x 4m square field of play while wearing five motion sensors attached to the upper body, knees and lower legs.
Matches are contested over a 60-second round, where athletes aim to deplete their opponent’s “health bar” or finish the round with a higher remaining bar. Bouts are played in a best-of-three format.
One of the defining features of Virtual Taekwondo is its inclusivity, allowing athletes to compete together on equal terms regardless of their age or gender.
World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue welcomed the announcement, commenting:
“We are delighted that Virtual Taekwondo has been included in the official programme of the Asian Games, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Organising Committee and the OCA for their support. Virtual Taekwondo represents a new and inclusive form of sport, providing opportunities for athletes of all ages and genders to participate and excel.”
Virtual Taekwondo first appeared on the international stage at the IOC’s Olympic Esports Series in Singapore in 2023. The inaugural Virtual Taekwondo World Championships, held in Singapore in November 2024, attracted more than 120 athletes from 23 countries, demonstrating the rapid global growth and appeal of the discipline.
