SINGAPORE (Nov. 8, 2024) - More than 120 athletes will compete at the inaugural World Taekwondo Virtual Championships in Singapore from November 16-17, serving as a showcase of the sport’s innovation, diversity and inclusiveness.

 

Athletes from 23 countries, in addition to Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), have registered to participate, with competition being staged in three age categories.

 

Mixed junior competition will be held for athletes aged 13 to 15 and mixed adult competition for those aged 36 and above on November 16, followed by male, female and mixed young adult events for participants aged 16 to 35 on November 17.

 

The World Championships marks another significant step forward for Virtual Taekwondo, a discipline which is helping to break down barriers and engage even more people of all ages and abilities in Taekwondo.

 

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue hailed the development of the new discipline ahead of the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships. “World Taekwondo is extremely excited to stage the first World Taekwondo Virtual Championships, and delighted to see more than 120 athletes from all around the world taking part,” he said. “We have observed with great pride the rising popularity of Virtual Taekwondo in recent years, and the two days of competition will demonstrate the innovative and inclusive nature of the discipline. “Virtual Taekwondo is helping our sport to reach new and wider audiences, and we are grateful to the Singapore Taekwondo Federation for organising this event which will elevate it to the next level.”

 

Virtual Taekwondo uses the unique motion-tracking AXIS system developed by Refract Technologies and a virtual reality headset, creating a level playing field for athletes to compete in non-contact sparring.

 

It has already featured successfully at the first Olympic Esports Series in 2023, where it was the only combat sport in the competition. The Olympic Esports Series concluded with in-person finals in Singapore.

 

At the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the IOC announced the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2025 in Saudi Arabia, with the programme still to be confirmed.

 

World Taekwondo also organised a Virtual Taekwondo showcase at Paris 2024 alongside the thrilling Taekwondo competitions at the iconic Grand Palais.

 

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