Opening of the 2025 Asian Pencak Silat Championship in Ha Tinh

VHO - The continental tournament, co-organized by PERSILAT and the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province, brings together nearly 400 athletes from 10 countries, taking place from July 24 to 31, 2025.

On the evening of July 25, the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Pencak Silat Championship took place at the Ha Tinh Provincial Sports Gymnasium. The tournament was jointly organized by the World Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT), the Vietnam Sports Department and the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee.

Panorama of the opening ceremony

The event gathered nearly 400 athletes and coaches from 10 countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, competing in 32 events divided into two groups: fighting (tanding) and performing arts (seni).

In the combat category, there are 24 weight categories, including 13 male categories from 45 kg to over 110 kg, and 11 female categories from 45 kg to over 100 kg. The performance group has 8 categories including singles, pairs, teams and creative, divided by gender. Athletes participating are from 17 to 45 years old, according to the regulations of the International Pencak Silat Federation.

Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh People's Committee Duong Tat Thang presented flowers and commemorative medals to the delegations participating in the 2025 Asian Pencak Silat Championship.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Duong Tat Thang - Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee, Head of the tournament organizing committee said: "We are not only organizing a sports tournament, but also contributing to building friendly relations between countries through the common language of sports".

He emphasized that Ha Tinh is honored to welcome domestic and foreign sports delegations, athletes, coaches, referees and reporters. This is an opportunity to introduce the image of Ha Tinh, a place rich in cultural traditions, friendly and hospitable, to international friends. Ha Tinh is committed to creating favorable conditions in terms of facilities, security, healthcare, accommodation and competition environment for sports delegations.

The tournament is not only a place for boxers to demonstrate their skills, bravery and will to compete, but also to demonstrate the noble spirit of sportsmanship, solidarity and friendship between nations.

World Pencak Silat Federation Secretary General Teddy Suratmadji asked athletes to compete with noble spirit and referees to work impartially to ensure the success of the tournament.

At the opening ceremony, authorized by the President, Mr. Duong Tat Thang and Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh - Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Training and Sports, awarded the First, Second and Third Class Labor Medals to athletes and coaches who achieved achievements at the 2024 World Pencak Silat Championship held in the UAE.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh - Deputy Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Training and Mr. Duong Tat Thang - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, authorized by the President, presented Medals to athletes with high achievements at the 2024 World Pencak Silat Championship held in the UAE.

Ha Tinh is a locality with many cultural and historical relics, the hometown of the great poet Nguyen Du and many other historical figures. In recent years, the province has promoted the development of marine, ecological and spiritual tourism, thereby combining sports with promoting the local image internationally.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khai-mac-giai-vo-dich-pencak-silat-chau-a-2025-tai-ha-tinh-156344.html