Singapore’s Darren Yap clinches virtual taekwondo bronze at Asian Games

Athletes wear virtual reality headsets and motion-tracking devices, or nodes, on their spine, thighs and shins.

Their movements are translated onto digital avatars, allowing them to kick and attack their opponent in a virtual arena without making physical contact. Successful strikes deplete their opponent’s virtual health bar.

On Thursday, Yap clinched joint-bronze in the men’s individual poomsae after finishing behind South Korea’s Yun Kyu-sung (9.3800), Thailand’s Navin Pinthasute (9.2800) and the Philippines’ Derick Yape (9.0900). 

Both the third- and fourth-placed finishers are awarded joint-bronze in the event.