Game or combat sport? Inaugural virtual taekwondo competition draws fans at Asian Games
A competitor wearing a white taekwondo uniform stands barefoot on a mat. A virtual reality (VR) headset covers the athlete’s face, while five sensors are attached to the back, thighs and shins. The opponent stands in the same space, but several meters away. When the match begins, the two competitors exchange kicks without actually touching each other. Instead of watching the athletes on the mat,…
The inaugural virtual taekwondo competition captivated spectators at the Asian Games, marking its official debut for the prestigious event. Athletes, equipped with virtual reality headsets and sensors, engaged in combat without physical contact, exchanging kicks within a 4-meter-by-4-meter mat. Spectators, instead of observing the fighters on the mat, watched their avatars on a screen.
Matches lasted for 60 seconds, with the victor determined by a best-of-three format, much like the esports title Tekken. In virtual taekwondo, points are earned through successful attacks, reducing the opponent's health gauge to zero. If neither combatant scored a knockout within the allotted time, the match ended in a draw.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
