Collection Sports 2026.09.16

Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics

From Padel and Techball to Kabaddi and Virtual Taekwondo: 12 Events Showcasing the Diversity of Asian Sports

#Travel to Japan #International Competitions #Asian Games #Aichi Nagoya #Team South Korea (대한민국선수단)#Sports Watching #Game Rules

The allure of the Asian Games cannot be explained solely by the familiar athletics and swimming seen at the Olympics. Events that showcase regional sports culture, like Sepak Takraw from Southeast Asia, Kabaddi beloved in South Asia, and Kurash connected to Central Asia’s traditions, come together on one stage. The Aichi-Nagoya Games also include new options like Padel, Techball, and mixed martial arts.

This list selects 12 events that first-time viewers may be curious about, among those confirmed in the official event program. Rather than simply consuming them as 'exotic', we explain the origin of the events, their basic rules, and scenes to watch out for on screen. It’s important to note that the selection of events and specific competitions are based on this tournament, so do not assume they are the same as those in other Asian Games or Olympic programs.

Padel

Padel comes first in our exploration of 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. It is a doubles racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, utilizing walls in its play. Both men's and women's doubles events are included in this tournament program, and knowing these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about the results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Observe the defense after the ball hits the wall and the positional play at the net. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 테니스와 스쿼시의 특징이 만나는 복식 라켓 스포츠로 벽을 플레이에 활용한다 대회 구성 남녀 복식 두 이벤트가 이번 대회 프로그램에 포함됐다

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Techball

Techball is the second subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This technical sport involves passing a soccer ball over a curved table without using hands or arms. Men’s singles, doubles, and mixed events are arranged, allowing for comparisons of tactical combinations. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' selections more specifically rather than making premature conclusions about the results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Watch how players control the ball while avoiding the edges of the table within three touches. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 휘어진 테이블 위로 축구공을 주고받되 손과 팔을 쓰지 않는 기술 스포츠다 대회 구성 남녀 단식·복식과 혼합 복식이 편성돼 조합별 전술을 비교할 수 있다

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Kabaddi

Kabaddi is the third subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This is a representative team sport from South Asia where attackers touch defenders in the opposing area and return. Men's and women's team events take place, showcasing alternating attacks and group defenses. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Pay attention to the spacing of the defenders surrounding the raider and the ankle tackles. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 공격수가 상대 진영에서 수비수를 터치하고 귀환하는 남아시아권의 대표 팀 스포츠다 대회 구성 남녀 단체전이 열려 공격과 집단 수비가 번갈아 나타난다

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Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw is the fourth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. It is a dynamic team sport from Southeast Asia where players use their feet and heads to handle a ball over a net. The events can vary in terms of court players and gameplay, such as Regu, Team Regu, and Quadrant. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than making premature conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Watch the scenes above the net where aerial spikes meet blocking attempts. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 네트를 사이에 두고 발과 머리로 공을 다루는 동남아시아의 역동적인 구기 종목이다 대회 구성 레구·팀 레구·쿼드런트 등 세부 방식에 따라 코트 인원과 전개가 달라진다

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Kurasu

Kurash

Kurash is the fifth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. It is a standing grappling sport developed from traditional wrestling in Uzbekistan, where opponents grab each other's garments to throw them. Cleanly executing techniques and active attacks are at the heart of the competition. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Focus on the grips and balance-management while standing, as opposed to ground exchanges. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 우즈베키스탄 전통 씨름에서 발전한 스탠딩 그래플링 종목으로 도복을 잡고 던진다 대회 구성 상대를 깨끗하게 메치는 기술과 활동적인 공격이 승부의 중심이다

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Wushu

Wushu is the sixth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. It is a Chinese martial art that competes in two forms: Taolu, which showcases expression and difficulty, and Sanda, which involves actual sparring. Taolu consists of Changquan, Nanquan, Taijiquan, and weapon techniques, while Sanda involves category-based sparring matches. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than making premature conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: First, distinguish whether the current score on the screen is for Taolu routines or Sanda sparring. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 표현과 난도를 겨루는 투로, 실제 대련을 펼치는 산타가 함께 있는 중국 무술 종목이다 대회 구성 투로는 장권·남권·태극권과 무기술, 산타는 체급별 대련으로 구성된다

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Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts is the seventh subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This combat sport combines striking and grappling techniques and is included in the Asian Games program. Events are organized by weight class for men and women, and specific regulations should follow the official tournament guide. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Observe the process of gaining advantageous positions and the connection from strikes to takedowns. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 타격과 그래플링 기술을 결합한 격투 종목이 아시안게임 프로그램에 포함됐다 대회 구성 남녀 체급별 이벤트가 마련되며 세부 규정은 대회 공식 안내를 따라야 한다

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Cricket T20

Cricket T20 is the eighth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. It is a shortened version of cricket where one team bats for a limited 20 overs before switching to fielding. The compressed gameplay emphasizes scoring speed and wicket management, making it just as crucial as in traditional formats. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Be aware of not only the current runs but also the remaining overs and lost wickets. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 한 팀이 제한된 20오버 동안 공격한 뒤 공수를 바꾸는 짧은 형식의 크리켓이다 대회 구성 긴 전통 경기보다 압축된 전개로 득점 속도와 위켓 관리가 동시에 중요하다

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eSports

eSports is the ninth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This category features diverse genres such as fighting, MOBA, sports, and racing in official medal events. Not one set of rules applies; each game's tournament version and series structure determine the outcomes. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Check the game title, patch, tournament version, and set scores first. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 격투·MOBA·스포츠·레이싱 등 서로 다른 장르가 정식 메달 이벤트로 구성된다 대회 구성 한 가지 규칙이 아니라 각 게임의 대회 버전과 시리즈 방식이 승부를 결정한다

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Breaking

Breaking is the tenth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This competition features improvisation synchronized to music, comparing power moves, footwork, and freezes in one-on-one battles. Judges combine several evaluation factors and do not simply determine outcomes based on the number of techniques executed. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Observe the responding movements to the opponent's rounds and how they interpret the beat of the music. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 음악에 맞춘 즉흥성과 파워무브·풋워크·프리즈 등을 일대일 배틀에서 비교한다 대회 구성 심판은 여러 평가 요소를 종합하며 단순 기술 개수만으로 승패를 정하지 않는다

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Virtual Taekwondo

Virtual Taekwondo is the eleventh subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This expanded discipline of Taekwondo utilizes sensors and digital environments to compete against virtual opponents. This program includes a mixed individual event that showcases a different screen from actual sparring. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than jumping to conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Watch the moment when a player's actual movements are transformed into attacks and defenses in a virtual space. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 센서와 디지털 환경을 활용해 가상의 상대와 겨루는 태권도의 기술 확장 종목이다 대회 구성 이번 프로그램에는 혼성 개인 이벤트가 편성돼 실제 겨루기와 다른 화면을 보여준다

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Soft Tennis

Soft Tennis is the twelfth subject we will explore in 'Special Sports of the Asian Games That Are Rarely Seen in the Olympics'. This racket sport uses a soft rubber ball and is characterized by fast net play and changes in spin. Events include men's and women's singles, team matches, and mixed doubles, showcasing a different team composition than tennis. Understanding these characteristics will help you read the scoreboard and players' choices more specifically rather than making premature conclusions about results.

Here are some practical viewing points: Observe how the lightweight ball's trajectory changes according to wind and spin effects. Note that the schedule, entries, and operating times may change, so check the official guide linked for information on the day of the matches, and it’s advisable to first confirm the exact name of the specific event on the broadcast screen.

종목 성격 부드러운 고무공을 사용하는 라켓 스포츠로 빠른 네트 플레이와 회전 변화가 특징이다 대회 구성 남녀 단식·단체전과 혼합복식 등이 편성돼 테니스와 다른 팀 구성을 보여준다

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Looking at these special events reveals that the Asian Games serve as a stage for preserving the sports culture of various regions in Asia while testing new sports. Events like Kabaddi and Kurash, which have a long history, coexist with modern sports like Padel and Techball that have grown in contemporary settings, as well as digital sports like eSports and Virtual Taekwondo.

When watching for the first time, try to find similarities with familiar events, but don't apply the same standards. Padel has a different court structure compared to tennis, and Sepak Takraw resembles volleyball but is played using feet and heads. After checking the specific event names in the official match schedule, completing just one game quickly reveals the rules and strategies. If you find an event you like, watching the event videos from the international federation can deepen your understanding.

한눈에 보기 12개

Padel

테니스와 스쿼시의 특징이 만나는 복식 라켓 스포츠로 벽을 플레이에 활용한다 · 남녀 복식 두 이벤트가 이번 대회 프로그램에 포함됐다

Techball

휘어진 테이블 위로 축구공을 주고받되 손과 팔을 쓰지 않는 기술 스포츠다 · 남녀 단식·복식과 혼합 복식이 편성돼 조합별 전술을 비교할 수 있다

Kabaddi

공격수가 상대 진영에서 수비수를 터치하고 귀환하는 남아시아권의 대표 팀 스포츠다 · 남녀 단체전이 열려 공격과 집단 수비가 번갈아 나타난다

Sepak Takraw

네트를 사이에 두고 발과 머리로 공을 다루는 동남아시아의 역동적인 구기 종목이다 · 레구·팀 레구·쿼드런트 등 세부 방식에 따라 코트 인원과 전개가 달라진다

Kurasu

우즈베키스탄 전통 씨름에서 발전한 스탠딩 그래플링 종목으로 도복을 잡고 던진다 · 상대를 깨끗하게 메치는 기술과 활동적인 공격이 승부의 중심이다

Wushu