Taekwondo Malaysia plans to introduce virtual taekwondo as a new discipline at the 2027 SEA Games, aiming to boost the nation’s medal tally.

KUALA LUMPUR: Taekwondo Malaysia intends to introduce virtual taekwondo at the 2027 SEA Games.

TM technical director R. Dhanaraj said the new discipline could help the country add to its medal collection at the biennial Games.

“Virtual taekwondo is similar to kyorugi, but exponents need to wear a gadget (goggles) and fight,” he said.

He explained that an exponent’s physical kicks or punches are replicated by a virtual figure within the display.

The desire to introduce the sport was inspired by a national exponent’s gold medal win at a championships in Cambodia last month.

Dhanaraj added that TM has shared the idea with regional counterparts, who have responded positively.

Virtual taekwondo is a non-contact combat sport using motion-tracking sensors on the body.

These sensors translate physical movements into a digital environment for competition.

The 2027 SEA Games are scheduled from Sept 18-29 across four clusters in Malaysia.

In a separate development, 13 national kyorugi exponents will undergo intensive training in Bangkok.

The training aims to prepare them for 2026 Asian Games qualifying in Mongolia this May.

The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from Sept 19-Oct 4.

 The Sun Malaysia