Dong Nai opens 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2026

The opening ceremony of the 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2026 was held on July 17 at the City Sports Training and Competition Center Gymnasium (Facility 1, Tan Trieu Ward). The event was organized by the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT) and the Sports Authority of Vietnam.

Athlete delegations and members of the officiating team attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Pencak Silat Championship. Photo: Thuy Tien

Delegates, athletes, and officials take part in the flag-saluting ceremony during the opening ceremony of the tournament. Photo: Thuy Tien

Among those attending the ceremony were Teddy Suratmadji, Secretary General of PERSILAT; Professor Zainudin Amali, President of the Asian Pencak Silat Federation; Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Sports Authority of Vietnam; Dang Minh Nguyet, Member of the Standing Board of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Council; Tran Trung Nhan, Member of the Standing Board of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Inspection Committee of the City Party Committee; Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; together with leaders of departments, boards, agencies, and units, as well as a large number of fans.

Domestic and international delegates attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Pencak Silat Championship. Photo: Thuy Tien

This year's championship has attracted nearly 300 athletes and coaches from nine Asian countries and territories: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, and host nation Vietnam.

Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivers the opening speech at the 2026 Asian Pencak Silat Championship. Photo: Thuy Tien

Delivering the opening remarks, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that Dong Nai's selection to host the 2026 Asian Pencak Silat Championship reflects the confidence of international sports organizations and the Sports Authority of Vietnam in the locality's capacity to organize international sporting events. She described the opportunity as a great honor while expressing the hope that, with its tradition of hospitality, diverse cultural identity, and increasingly comprehensive infrastructure, the tournament would help introduce the image of Dong Nai and its people to international friends while providing opportunities for athlete delegations to exchange experiences, enhance mutual understanding, and strengthen friendship among nations.

A Pencak Silat martial arts performance adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the opening ceremony. Photo: Thuy Tien

A performance showcasing Vietnamese cultural identity welcomes delegates to the opening ceremony. Photo: Thuy Tien

She affirmed that the city would work closely with PERSILAT, the Asian Pencak Silat Federation, the Sports Authority of Vietnam, and relevant units to organize the tournament in a thoughtful, professional, safe, and successful manner, thereby promoting the noble values of sports for peace, friendship, and development. She also expressed confidence that the officiating team would perform its duties impartially and that the athletes would compete in a spirit of solidarity, honesty, and sportsmanship, delivering high-quality matches.

Professor Zainudin Amali, President of the Asian Pencak Silat Federation, delivers a congratulatory speech and expresses his expectations for the tournament's success. Photo: Thuy Tien

Speaking on behalf of the Asian Pencak Silat Federation, Professor Zainudin Amali said the 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championship is not only a premier sporting competition but also an occasion to honor the shared heritage, cultural values, and spirit of unity embodied by Pencak Silat.

He expressed appreciation to Vietnam, central agencies, Dong Nai City, and the Organizing Committee for their thorough preparations for the tournament. He also acknowledged the participation of the national federations, describing it as evidence of their shared commitment to developing Pencak Silat and strengthening cooperation among nations. Addressing the athletes, he expressed the hope that each competitor would serve as an "ambassador" of Pencak Silat by competing with courage, discipline, and respect for opponents.

Vietnamese Pencak Silat coaches and athletes are honored with Labor Orders at the ceremony. Photo: Thuy Tien

During the opening ceremony, the Organizing Committee announced the decision of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to award Labor Orders to coaches and athletes of the Vietnam Pencak Silat Team in recognition of their outstanding achievements at the 2025 World Pencak Silat Championship.

Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, performs the tournament opening ritual. Photo: Thuy Tien

Under the competition regulations, this year's championship takes place from July 17 to 23 and features two disciplines: tanding (combat) and seni (artistic performance). The combat discipline includes 13 men's weight classes, ranging from under 45 kg to over 110 kg, and 11 women's weight classes, ranging from under 45 kg to over 100 kg, as well as two open categories, one for men and one for women. The performance discipline comprises individual, pair, team, and creative individual events for both men and women.

An athlete representative takes the oath to compete with honesty and sportsmanship. Photo: Thuy Tien

The officiating team’s representative takes the oath, pledging to officiate the matches fairly and accurately. Photo: Thuy Tien

The 2026 Asian Pencak Silat Championship is not only a major international sporting event hosted in Dong Nai but also helps promote the locality's image, demonstrate the city's capacity to host international tournaments, and further advance the development of Pencak Silat in Vietnam and the region.

The Organizing Committee presents commemorative medals and souvenirs to the participating delegations. Photo: Thuy Tien

By Thuy Tien, Giang Nam – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho