Imagine a world where robots step into the ring, throwing punches and landing kicks with the precision of martial artists, all powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence. It is not just a fantasy, it is already happening right here. Two days ago, I read this news about humanoid robots trading punches in China’s AI-powered Kickboxing Competition. That was one of the most fascinating tech stories/news I've read in the last week and I didn't fail to share with my young Tech enthusiasts during our session yesterday.
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The 38 second long video of one of the matches in the AI-powered kickboxing tournament was fascinating to watch on by China Central Television (CCTV)'s Youtube channel. I mused within myself if this is the future of sports that will not cause injury to humans but will require anyone who is interested to be able to build his/her robot or pay for it to be built to be able to join competitions. I could see some of my young learners getting glue to the videos and I think I was able to spark some more curiosity in them and perhaps a seed of innovation.
The world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing tournament
The world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing tournament became reality on May 25, 2025, in the city of Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province, China. There, Unitree Robotics’ robots duked it out in a thrilling display of tech and tenacity.
Organized by the state-owned China Media Group (CMG) and broadcast live by China Central Television (CCTV), the event, dubbed the CMG World Robot Competition – Mecha Fighting Series, saw four pint-sized humanoid robots from Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics square off in a points-based kickboxing match that captivated audiences and showcased the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology.
The competition, held in a brightly lit ring surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd, featured Unitree’s G1 humanoid robots, each standing 132 centimeters (4.3 feet) tall and weighing 35 kilograms (77 pounds). These compact machines, outfitted with protective headgear and standard kickboxing gloves, were controlled remotely by human operators using voice commands and sophisticated motion-control algorithms powered by large-scale AI models.
Unlike traditional remote-controlled toys, these robots demonstrated a remarkable degree of autonomy and precision, thanks to Unitree’s integration of AI and motion-capture technology, which allowed the robots to execute real martial arts moves with surprising fluidity.
The event was structured as a series of one-on-one matches, with four robots competing in three two-minute rounds. Points were awarded based on successful strikes: one point for a punch to the head or trunk, three points for a kick to the head, and deductions of five points if a robot fell or ten points if it remained down for more than eight seconds. The robot with the highest score across the rounds advanced to face another opponent, with the ultimate winner determined by either points or a knockout.
The championship title was claimed by a robot named “AI Strategist,” operated by Lu Xin, which decisively defeated “Energy Guardian,” controlled by Hu Yunqian, with knockouts in all three rounds.
Before the bouts began, the robots underwent a series of tests to showcase their capabilities and help organizers refine the rules. These tests included demonstrations of various kicks and punches, highlighting the robots’ ability to perform complex maneuvers such as a 720-degree Kung Fu spin kick, which Unitree had previously showcased in viral videos earlier in the year. The company’s director, Wang Qixin, explained that the robots were trained using AI and motion-capture technology to replicate authentic fight moves, marking a significant leap in the development of humanoid robotics.
The competition drew comparisons to the 2011 Hollywood film Real Steel, which depicted human-controlled robots battling in a futuristic boxing ring. Online spectators marveled at the parallels, with some describing the event as a “real-life Real Steel” and others noting the robots’ ability to recover from knockdowns, including performing acrobatic “kip-ups” to transition from a prone position to standing. While the robots’ movements were slower and less fluid than those of human fighters, their resilience and precision sparked excitement about the potential of AI-driven robotics in entertainment and beyond.
The kickboxing tournament also served as a platform to showcase China’s technological prowess amid an intensifying tech rivalry with the United States. While China remains a distant second to the U.S. in terms of AI model quality, events like the CMG World Robot Competition are designed to stoke national pride and demonstrate the country’s rapid progress in cutting-edge technologies. The event’s broadcast on CCTV, which reached millions of viewers, further amplified its impact, positioning China as a leader in the “great robot race.”
For many spectators, the Hangzhou tournament was more than just a sporting event; it was a glimpse into a future where AI-powered robots could play increasingly prominent roles in entertainment, industry, sports and daily life. While the robots’ punches and kicks may not yet rival those of human athletes, their performance in the ring was a powerful proof of China’s technological ambitions and the rapid pace of innovation in humanoid robotics.