KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- 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.
"Virtual taekwondo is similar to kyorugi, but exponents need to wear a gadget (goggles) and fight. So, 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,” he said.
Dhanaraj said this after the working committee meeting at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil here today.
Dhanaraj said the desire to introduce virtual taekwondo at the 2027 SEA Games was mooted by the success of a national exponent, who won gold at a championships in Cambodia last month.
He added that TM has also shared the idea with its regional counterparts, with most responding positively to the introduction of this new discipline at the coming edition of the biennial Games.
Virtual taekwondo is a non-contact combat sport that uses motion-tracking sensors on parts of the body, such as thighs, shins and back, to translate physical kicks, movements and blocks into a digital environment.
The 2027 SEA Games, scheduled from Sept 18-29, will be held in four clusters: Sarawak, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
In another development, Dhanaraj said 13 national kyorugi exponents, including 2023 SEA Games gold medallist Muhammad Syafiq Zuber, are set to undergo a month-long intensive training stint in Bangkok from Saturday (Feb 28).
He added that the training is to prepare the exponents involved 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 Sept 19-Oct 4.
-- BERNAMA
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