An Inclusive Sports Experience in a Special Needs Education Setting

The activity featured “HADO,” a digital-physical hybrid sport categorized as a net-type sport (*1), where players launch energy balls and deploy shields.

Because all gameplay elements are visualized through augmented reality (AR), players can engage in competitive team matches without physical impact or pain. This makes the experience accessible even for those who may feel hesitant about traditional contact-based sports.

Rather than relying solely on physical strength, players contribute through different roles—attacking, defending, and coordinating—allowing each individual to participate in a way that suits their abilities.

Through demonstrations and guidance from university faculty and students, participants quickly learned the rules and actively took part in matches.

*(1) Net-type sports: In physical education, ball games played on a court divided by a net, where players score by placing the ball in areas difficult for opponents to return.

A New Approach to Inclusive Sports

According to the school’s official blog, the initiative was introduced as part of a program aimed at developing “inclusive sports experiences where everyone can equally benefit.”

Matches were also displayed on a screen, enabling students who were not playing to engage through watching and cheering. The venue was filled with excitement and a strong sense of unity.

A Memorable Final Match

At the end of the session, students requested one final match.

A team of three students from the school faced a mixed team consisting of one student and two university students. The match ended in a close 13–12 victory for the student team.

The moment—where the students secured a last-second win—highlighted the essence of the experience: a space where everyone can take on a role, challenge themselves, and shine as part of a team.

Comment from Shinya Yanagida (Tokyo University of Science)

“It was incredibly exciting to see the students so engaged. In particular, seeing a student with limited mobility launch an energy ball and smile was truly moving.”

“In the final match, the students won with just two seconds remaining. It was a powerful moment that showed how anyone can become a hero in this environment.”

Expanding the Role of HADO in Education

HADO is gaining recognition as an inclusive and accessible sports experience in educational settings across Japan, particularly in programs that integrate technology with physical activity.

New implementations are scheduled this month at:

• Seibo Gakuen (a private junior and senior high school in Japan):
  Implementation of HADO in physical education classes
• Komazawa University (a private university in Tokyo):
  Adoption of HADO as a new teaching tool in sports and health-related fields

meleap will continue to collaborate with educational institutions—from primary schools to universities—to explore new forms of learning that combine movement and technology.

About HADO

“HADO” is a “techno sport” that combines physical movement with digital gameplay.

Players wear headsets and arm sensors to launch energy balls and deploy shields in real time.

While simple to understand, the game encourages strategic thinking, teamwork, and quick decision-making. It is designed to be inclusive, allowing people of all athletic abilities to compete on equal footing.

HADO is currently played in over 39 countries worldwide.

https://hado-official.com/

About meleap Inc.

meleap develops and operates AR-based experiences with the mission of creating a society where everyone can enjoy physical activity.

Through HADO, the company delivers immersive, “magical” experiences that connect people through movement, technology, and play.