Hosts Singapore began their World Taekwondo Virtual Championships campaign with a bang, with teenager Javis Yap emerging triumphant in an all-local Junior Individual Mixed final on Saturday (16 Nov).

He beat teammate Alexander Khor 2-0 to win the gold in front of a buoyant home crowd at the OCBC Arena. India’s Tejas Yadav won the bronze.

Perhaps spurred on by the thunderous cheers, Javis and Alexander were locked in fierce battle from the get-go. They took turns to deliver effective kicks in the first round before Javis narrowly took the first round. He carried his momentum into the second and defeated his compatriot in another close contest to take the gold medal.

The pair later shared a friendly handshake before performing a lap of honour around the field of play while hoisting the Singapore flag.

A surprised Javis, 15, said: “Usually when I fight against Alexander in training, I always lose. But I think the adrenaline today helped because I wanted to win so I just tried my best. I was just in the zone and ready to compete. Virtual taekwondo lets me fight with people I usually can’t fight against because of age difference or gender without getting hurt. It’s a good experience because I train a lot and it helps me get better in physical taekwondo. It helps me increase my stamina and teaches me how to think on the spot better during the fight.”

The other final of the day also featured another Singaporean, Justin Peh, who lost 2-0 to Zyka Angelica Santiago of The Philippines in the Young Adult Individual Mixed final. Korea’s Eom So-hyun took home the bronze.

Poomsae exponent Santiago, who is competing in a virtual taekwondo competition for the first time, said: “I’m super happy to win and be part of this great competition. It’s been really fun and I’ve really enjoyed it. You don’t get hurt in virtual taekwondo and it’s fair because even though I’m playing against males, I’m still given the opportunity to win even though I’m a female. Here, I don’t feel any pressure because you don’t have to think about getting hurt. Of course my goal for tomorrow is like today, I want to win the gold medal, not just for myself but for my teammates and my country. I’ve learnt a lot from the five fights I had today which I can apply tomorrow and that will help me get used to the system and the techniques that I need to do well tomorrow.”

The Opening Ceremony was also held on Saturday, during which championships were opened by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong virtually through a pre-recorded video. Guests in attendance included Mr Ng Ser Miang (International Olympic Committee member), Dr Choue Chung-won (World Taekwondo president) and Prof Tan Cheng Han (Singapore Taekwondo Federation president).

In his opening remarks, Dr Choue said: “Exactly two years ago, the International Olympic Committee announced the creation of the Olympic Esports Series and Singapore as the host city of the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023. The fact that the IOC decided on Singapore as the first host city symbolises the immense confidence in your organisational capabilities and attractiveness as a host. I wish to thank the Singapore authorities and the Organising Committee for your dedication and support. I also know that it is testament of the leadership of Ser Miang, who has always worked hard behind the scenes for the betterment of sport globally, and to fly the Singapore flag high. To all athletes, there is no better moment to be part of history than now. You lay the foundations for a better future. Seize your moments, but always remember that harmony brings glory.”

Addressing the taekwondo community, Mr Ng said: “The next few days will be a time to make history, the first ever World Taekwondo Virtual Championships will celebrate your sport at its very best by showcasing innovation, diversity and inclusion. You are also putting on the spotlight on the values that define a global taekwondo community. These inaugural Virtual Championships are only the latest demonstration of how World Taekwondo and President Choue Chungwon are taking your sport to ever new heights. You are making taekwondo one of the world’s fastest growing sports, and now taekwondo is promoting sport and its value in the world of virtual sport as well. What a better place than Singapore to host your inaugural virtual championships. Singapore stands for dynamism and digital innovation, as we know so well from the great success of the Olympic Esports Week held here last year. My congratulations to the organisers for preparing the stage in such an excellent way for the athletes. To all the athletes, now is your moment to shine. Always compete in the spirit of excellence, respect and fair play, because being a true champion is about so much more than just winning. In sport, everyone is equal, no matter who you are, where you are from, or whether you compete in the virtual or the physical world. In sport, we always build bridges, we always take down barriers, just like you will be doing at the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships.”

The action continues on Sunday with the Young Adult Individual Male and Female as well as the Adult Individual Mixed categories.

The World Taekwondo Virtual Championships 2024 marks the return of the sport to Singapore after the city successfully hosted the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in June 2023, where Virtual Taekwondo made its debut.

Over the course of the two-day Championships 120 athletes from 23 countries, AIN, and the Refugee Team will take part. Virtual Taekwondo uses the unique motion-tracking AXIS system developed by Refract Technologies and a virtual reality headset, creating a level playing field for athletes to compete in non-contact sparring.

The world championships will showcase the key attractions of Virtual Taekwondo as a barrier-free, innovative and fun sport as World Taekwondo makes its mark in the Esports world. The game, a virtual-reality rendering of taekwondo, sees players wearing VR headsets as well as motion-tracking nodes on their body. In-game, the aim is to land kicks to drain the opponent’s health bar to seize victory. The game provides a level playing field for athletes regardless of their weight class.

Photo Credit: 2024 World Taekwondo Virtual Championships

The World Taekwondo Virtual Championships 2024 take place in Singapore from 16th to 17th November 2024. Tickets to the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships are complimentary and available for redemption here