Sports

Digital sparring: Virtual Taekwondo Rome Open 2026 launches new inclusive era

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By Choi Won-suk

Published Jun 5, 2026 5:30 pm KST
Updated Jun 5, 2026 5:52 pm KST

Nathan Henn of Team USA competes during the inaugural Virtual Taekwondo Rome Open 2026 at Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

ROME — The inaugural Virtual Taekwondo Rome Open 2026 transformed the Foro Italico, Italy’s most prestigious sports complex, into a digital arena on Thursday, marking a pivotal shift in the evolution of martial arts.

Held alongside the World Taekwondo Grand Prix, the tournament showcased the sport’s continued digital transformation. Officially endorsed by World Taekwondo, the discipline utilizes advanced motion-tracking sensors and virtual reality headsets to replicate sparring in a noncontact environment where athletes’ movements are translated into real-time digital action.

A taekwondo athlete waits to play during the inaugural Virtual Taekwondo Rome Open 2026 at the Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

This technology-driven format was designed to remove traditional barriers such as weight class, age and gender. By focusing on technique and speed rather than raw physical force, the event allowed 19 athletes from five countries to compete in a single-elimination tournament on equal terms.

The Rome Open has helped build a foundation to continue promoting the discipline's rapid growth. Virtual taekwondo made its international debut at the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Esports Series in Singapore in 2023. This was followed by the inaugural Virtual Taekwondo World Championships in Singapore in 2024, which featured more than 120 athletes from 23 countries.

Navya Gupta of Team Norway reacts after winning a match at the inaugural Virtual Taekwondo Rome Open 2026 at Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By successfully integrating these digital standards at the historic Foro Italico, the Rome Open underscored how innovation is redefining the boundaries of competitive combat sports and expanding accessibility for a new generation of athletes.