Kuala lumpur: Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) intends to introduce virtual taekwondo to go with the two existing disciplines - kyorugi and poomsae - at the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia. TM technical director R. Dhanaraj said the new discipline could pave the way for the country to add to its medal collection at the biennial Games.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, virtual taekwondo is similar to kyorugi, but exponents need to wear a gadget (goggles) and fight. The exponent will act as the model within the display (goggles). When an exponent executes a kick or a punch, the virtual figure will replicate the movement. It's like a video game, but you use your own physical movements entirely to compete in the match. Dhanaraj expressed this after the working committee meeting at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil.

Dhanaraj mentioned that the desire to introduce virtual taekwondo at the 2027 SEA Games was inspired by the success of a national exponent, who won gold at a championship in Cambodia last month. TM has shared the idea with its regional counterparts, with most responding positively to the introduction of this new discipline at the upcoming edition of the biennial Games.

Virtual taekwondo is a non-contact combat sport that leverages motion-tracking sensors placed on body parts, such as thighs, shins, and back, to translate physical kicks, movements, and blocks into a digital environment. The 2027 SEA Games, scheduled from September 18-29, will be held in four clusters: Sarawak, Penang, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur.

In another development, Dhanaraj mentioned that 13 national kyorugi exponents, including 2023 SEA Games gold medalist Muhammad Syafiq Zuber, are set to undergo a month-long intensive training stint in Bangkok starting Saturday, February 28. This training aims to prepare the exponents to seek a spot in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, through the qualifying session in Mongolia in May. The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19-October 4.