PETALING JAYA: Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) have an intriguing proposal for the 2027 SEA Games as they seek to introduce a new category, virtual taekwondo, at the biennial Games.
TM technical chairman R. Dhanaraj said taekwondo currently features only two categories, poomsae and kyorugi.
He believes the addition of a new discipline would not only boost Malaysia’s medal haul in line with the mission to emerge overall champions in 2027, but also attract attention by combining elements of the virtual world with martial arts.
Virtual taekwondo is an advanced system that brings the sport into a digital environment, using motion capture and gamification to simulate combat.
“So it is like they wear goggles and then they fight. Everything is there in terms of fitness but there is no physical contact. They fight against a virtual figure. Fitness is very important and you must be in top condition. We are trying to introduce three events and we hope from those three we can win at least one or two gold medals,” said Dhanaraj.
TM’s confidence in pushing for the event was further strengthened after athlete Jayden Teng won gold at the International Taekwondo Championship in Cambodia in January.
As such, TM are now seeking the backing of several other South-East Asian nations to realise the proposal for inclusion at the 2027 SEA Games.
“That is why we are quite confident that if we introduce virtual taekwondo with three events, we will have a good chance of winning medals. It is still kyorugi but you will wear all the gadgets and act as the model on the screen. When you lift your leg, the figure on the screen lifts its leg. When you punch, the figure punches. It is like playing a video game but you are using your own physical movement to control it.
“We have spoken to other countries such as Singapore and they are very interested and have asked us to promote the idea. If we implement it, I believe we will receive support from other Asian nations,” he added.
At the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand last December, Malaysia managed just one gold medal through the women’s team poomsae event, represented by Seah Jing Ying, Yow Mei Yee and Wong Zin, along with one silver from Syafiq Zuber in the men’s 87kg kyorugi event and four bronze medals.
