Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games introduce new sports and key South Korean performances

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are introducing several innovative and non-traditional sports to the official program, including Teqball, Virtual Taekwondo, and Padel.

In Teqball, South Korean national representative Lee Jun-seok has advanced to the men's singles semifinals after a dominant performance, winning six consecutive matches without dropping a single set. A former soccer player, Lee has pursued the sport despite limited institutional support.

Virtual Taekwondo utilizes VR headsets and motion sensors to allow athletes to compete in a digital space through physical movements. Meanwhile, Padel, a racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash played in glass-walled courts, is also making its debut.

In basketball, the South Korean men's team advanced to the semifinals after defeating Jordan 114-80. Key player Yeo Jun-seok participated in the quarterfinal match despite managing plantar fasciitis, contributing 9 points and 2 rebounds.