For Afghanistan’s Rohullah Nikpa, Virtual Taekwondo’s debut at the Olympic Esports Week provided an unexpected route back into the sport he loves.

 

Nikpa won his country's first Olympic medal with a bronze in the men's 58kg Taekwondo at the at Beijing 2008 and again at London 2012 in the 68kg category but after a successful career he retired following the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships.

 

Taekwondo has remained a key part of Nikpa’s life as he relocated from Afghanistan to New Zealand to be with his wife and daughter.

 

However, it has been the launch of Virtual Taekwondo which has allowed him to reconnect with the sport in new ways. In the Olympic Esports Week, Nikpa was one of eight retired Taekwondo legends who took part along side eight local junior athletes.

 

While Nipka didn’t make it to the podium in Singapore he showcased how Virtual Taekwondo is a sport open to all without any barriers of age or gender.