India kicked off its campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Thursday (September 17, 2026) with teqball, which is marking its debut in the multi-sport event this year. As many as six sporting events, including virtual taekwondo and BMX freestyle, are making their first-ever appearance at the 20th Asian Games. Japan is hosting the event with athletes from 45 countries and regions, competing across 43 sports. Here is a look at the new sporting competitions, that promise a more dynamic and spectacular event.
Which are the new sports introduced in Asian Games 2026
Teqball
A doubles-match, teqball combines elements of football and table tennis. Players play across a curved table and have to hit the ball without using their arms or hands. They can use other body parts, including feet and head, much like in football. The competition promises visually spectacular event as the ball’s trajectory would be hard to predict, and players have to employ some acrobatic smashes and returns to stay in the game.
For India, athletes Declan Marshall Gonsalves and Mohamed Anas Imran Beg took to the teqball court at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Thursday.
Padel
Spanish player Alejandra Salazar hits the ball on a padel court installed at the Sydney Opera House for an invitational tournament in Sydney on August 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Another sport marking its debut in Asian Games, padel is played on an enclosed court with reinforced glass and wire-mesh walls. Played as a doubles-match, the distinctive feature of the racket sport is that the players can return the ball even after it rebounds off the walls. Padel traces its origins to Mexico in 1969, and went on to gain popularity across the world, especially in Europe.
Surfing
Jack Robinson, of Australia, goes airborne as he rides a wave during practice for the WSL Finals surfing competition in 2023, in San Clemente, California.
A water sport, surfing requires the athlete to perform manoeuvres on about 10-12 waves within a set time while standing on a board. Athletes are judged on the difficulties they face and the creativity of the manoeuvres, while speed, power, and overall dynamism are also factored in. Surfing is being introduced to the Asian Games this year, with shortboard events for both men and women.
Mixed Martial Arts
MMA Mixed Martial Arts – Conor McGregor in action against Donald Cerrone at Las Vegas, United States, on January 18, 2020
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) will also mark its Asian Games debut, joining jiu-jitsu and kurash in combat sports. Both men and women will compete in MMA, which combines striking, grappling, throwing, and submission techniques. Knockout, technical knockout, surrender, or the judge’s decision determine the victory.
Virtual taekwondo
A virtual taekwondo athlete practices at a training center in Puchong, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Another new sport at the 20th Asian Games, virtual taekwondo combines virtual reality (VR) technology with traditional taekwondo techniques. Competitors wear VR headsets that transport them into a digital 3D arena. Strapped with motion trackers, they use their bodies to control digital avatars in noncontact virtual matches. The sport is fast gaining popularity in southeast Asia.
Cycling BMX freestyle
Yawen Deng of Team People’s Republic of China competes during the BMX Freestyle Women’s Park Final – Round 2 on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place de la Concorde on July 31, 2024 in Paris, France.
Making its first-ever appearance at the Asian Games, Cycling BMX Freestyle will witness competitors executing a series of spectacular aerial manoeuvres. Creativity and dynamic riding will be on display as the competitors move freely across the course, perform big tricks. They will be judged on the challenges, execution, and originality of their tricks, while crashes or putting a foot down will significantly impact the score.
(With inputs from www.aichi-nagoya2026.org, www.olympics.com and AP)
Published – September 17, 2026 05:18 pm IST
