SINGAPORE, 7 November 2024 – Twelve Singapore athletes will bid for glory on home ground when the inaugural World Taekwondo Virtual Championships is staged here on 16 and 17 November. These athletes, aged between 13 and 50, will compete in five categories with over 100 other international participants.
Singapore’s line-up includes father and son duo Brian and Justin Peh, who won the masters mixed and individual male titles respectively at the Singapore Open Virtual Taekwondo Championships in June. Justin has enjoyed success internationally as well – the 24-year-old won gold in the individual male category of the Muju Taekwondowon 2024 International Open Virtual Taekwondo Championships in September. Tan Jia Wei, the champion in the individual female and individual mixed categories, will also look to continue her fine form when Singapore hosts the very first edition of the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships at the OCBC Arena later this month.
Singapore’s representatives at the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships are:
| S/N | Name | Age | Gender |
| 1 | Thomas Mok | 38 | M |
| 2 | Lee Qin Xuan | 14 | F |
| 3 | Tan Jia Wei | 21 | F |
| 4 | Tan Lee Fong | 46 | F |
| 5 | Nigel Tan | 16 | M |
| 6 | Sherri Yap | 20 | F |
| 7 | Koh Bao Ling | 50 | F |
| 8 | Justin Peh | 24 | M |
| 9 | Brian Peh | 44 | M |
| 10 | Alexander Khor | 13 | M |
| 11 | Javis Yap | 15 | M |
| 12 | Hey Chin Yee | 14 | F |
Quote by President of Singapore Taekwondo Federation
Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) president Prof. Tan Cheng Han said: “The STF is pleased to unveil the athletes representing Singapore in the very first edition of the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships, which will take place right here at the OCBC Arena. Our Virtual Taekwondo National Development Squad was established early this year, and we are proud to have athletes across a diverse age range competing in such a prestigious event later this month. This is testament to the inclusive nature of Virtual Taekwondo, and we hope spectators from within and outside of the taekwondo fraternity enjoy the experience of watching competitors of different backgrounds spar with one another. Singapore hosting the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships marks an exciting step forward for the sport, and we look forward to introducing Virtual Taekwondo to more members of the local and international community.”
Quote by President of World Taekwondo
World Taekwondo president Dr. Chungwon Choue said: “We are excited to host the first-ever World Taekwondo Virtual Championships in Singapore. Singapore has shown itself as a leader in esports and we have no doubt will provide the perfect host for our Championships. At World Taekwondo, we have always embraced technology to make our sport more engaging and relevant to young audiences. By hosting these Virtual Championships, we will attract new audiences and continue to ensure Taekwondo is as inclusive as possible.”
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. Singaporean Nigel Tan was crowned Olympic Esports Week Virtual Taekwondo champion after defeating compatriot Natalie Tor.
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.
The World Taekwondo Virtual Championships in Singapore will see the competition being split into five categories:
1. Junior Mixed (13-15 years old)
2. Young Adult – Individual Male (16-35 years old)
3. Young Adult – Individual Female (16-35 years old)
4. Young Adult – Mixed (16-35 years old)
5. Adult Mixed (above 35 years old)