Virtual Taekwondo: A New Sport at the Asian Games

Virtual taekwondo is set to make its debut as one of six new sports at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The mixed-gender event will see 16 athletes from across Asia competing for medals in a knockout tournament held at Toyohashi Gymnasium on October 2.

Approved by the Olympic Council of Asia in June 2026, virtual taekwondo becomes the first-ever virtual sport to be included in the Asian Games. While traditional taekwondo—a Korean martial art focusing on kicks and punches—is also part of the event, virtual taekwondo offers a different experience.

In virtual taekwondo, players use VR headsets and motion-tracking devices. They stand on 4×4 mats and face opponents in three rounds of 60 seconds each. During these rounds, players perform taekwondo moves against their virtual opponent without physical contact.

A key feature of the game is the Health Bar system. Each player starts with 1,000 health points (HP). Successful hits reduce the opponent’s HP. If an opponent’s HP reaches zero, they are knocked out, and the other player wins the round. To win the match, a player must win two rounds. If no knockout occurs, the player with more HP at the end of 60 seconds wins. In case of a tie, headshots, kicks, and last hit metrics determine the winner.

Kashish Malik, representing India, is one to watch. She competed in traditional taekwondo at the 2018 Asian Games but will now make history as India’s first participant in virtual taekwondo. A bronze medalist at the 2023 Asian Taekwondo Championships, she trains at Peace Taekwondo Academy and is supported by the Virat Kohli Foundation.