Virtual taekwondo, Pokemon lead high-tech push at Asian Games

KUALA LUMPUR: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which officially begin on Saturday, will showcase a diverse lineup of non-Olympic, regional, and emerging sports, alongside an expanded esports programme.

Each of the five Olympic Council of Asia geographic zones nominated a sport based on regional popularity for the Games — sepak takraw (Southeast Asia), kabaddi (South Asia), wushu (East Asia), jujitsu (West Asia) and kurash (Central Asia).

Sepak takraw, often described as volleyball played with the feet, features athletes using a 14-centimetre rattan or plastic ball on a badminton-sized court.

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Kabaddi, a contact team sport resembling tag, trace its roots to ancient Indian hunting tactics.

Combat sports form a major component of the Games' schedule.

Jujitsu, originating from traditional Japanese jujutsu, will see Japan field a dedicated squad for the first time.

Central Asian kurash requires athletes to wrestle standing up using only throws and sweeps.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) will make its Asian Games debut with traditional (gi) and modern (shorts and rash guards) divisions.

Wushu includes choreographed taolu routines and sanda sparring, whilst karate features kata demonstrations and kumite sparring.

Judo and taekwondo complete the combat lineup.

Digital and virtual sports also feature prominently.

Esports returns with 11 medal events across 13 titles, including League of Legends, Pokemon Unite, and Puyo Puyo Champions.

Additionally, a new non-contact, mixed-gender virtual taekwondo event will debut, with competitors using VR headsets and motion-tracking gear to control fighting avatars.

The programme is rounded out by returning Olympic disciplines baseball, softball, lacrosse, and breaking, alongside padel and teqball.