THE champions of the first augmented reality sport are hoping it will one day feature in the Olympics.

The Hado Brighton Club - who play a virtual reality game - have recently had success in the Hado UK August open tournament, with teams from the club winning first and second place.

Now the club believes that there should be Olympic recognition for the sport.

A spokesman from the club said: "Since launching the club in Brighton, our team has won the UK Championship twice and competed in Japan at the Hado World Cup Championship in 2019.

"We will be representing the UK in Istanbul, Turkey, at the European Championship on September 23 this year and the Hado World Cup Championship in Tokyo, Japan, in December 2021.

"Our two Brighton teams have won first and second place at the recent August open tournament, and we will be competing at the September opening next month in Coventry.

The Argus: Brighton Hado clubBrighton Hado club

"As e-sports and many diverse sports are entering the Olympic arena, we believe Hado sport will be at the Olympics in the not-so-far distance future. Brighton is the home of the UK Hado Champions."

The virtual sport involves throwing "superhuman energy balls" at opponents and "deploying protective shields" while running around a real-life arena.

Players are able to experience this through augmented reality (AR) that can be viewed through the use of technology.

The club hosts events in Bishop Hannington Memorial Church in Holmes Avenue, Hove.

The sport also tries to promote physical activity for people who may not be capable of playing traditional sports, while attempting to help boost people's mental wellbeing.

A club spokesman added: "Anyone, regardless of age, gender or ability, can jump right into the exciting sport of Hado.

"Hado integrates sports and technology by balancing athletic ability and strategic skill to offer athletic enjoyment to everyone.

"Hado incentivises young and old to become more active as they will feel like they are in a real-life video game and getting a healthy workout at the same time."

As the world's first techno sport, Hado introduces leading technology into athletics to create a platform to take e-sports - a form of competition using video games - from the chair to a real real-world court.