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.
