Virtual taekwondo debuts at Asian Games with growing popularity
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 7, 2026, 2:06 AM
Last updated Jul 7, 2026
Virtual taekwondo makes its debut at the Asian Games in Japan, highlighting a rising trend in gamified sports. Nguyen Thanh Hien Linh, a Vietnamese athlete, transitioned from struggling at her first virtual competition in Singapore in 2024 to winning a gold medal at a recent event in Malaysia. Co-developed by World Taekwondo and Refract Technologies, the discipline combines virtual reality and traditional techniques, allowing athletes to compete in a noncontact environment. The sport showcases its appeal to tech-savvy youths, with increasing interest noted in Southeast Asia, particularly due to its low injury risk compared to traditional martial arts. The recent competition saw a growing community embrace this format, indicating potential for expansion in future events, including the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
- •Virtual taekwondo debuts at the Asian Games in Japan.
- •Nguyen Thanh Hien Linh won gold in Malaysia, showcasing growth.
- •Developed by World Taekwondo and Refract Technologies.
- •The sport merges virtual reality with traditional taekwondo.
- •Low injury risk leads to increased participation in Southeast Asia.
- 2:06 AMYahoo Sports — Virtual taekwondo is on the rise as it makes its debut at Asian Games
"When Vietnamese athlete Nguyen Thanh Hien Linh stepped into her first virtual taekwondo competition in Singapore in 2024, she had little idea what she was doing. Despite her background as an elite national taekwondo champion, she struggled in the virtual arena with no clue on strategy, skills or how the technology worked. Two years later, she won a gold medal at a recent virtual taekwondo competition in Malaysia and was part of a growing community of the gamified combat sport across Southeast Asia.
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