The 2024 Pencak Silat National Championship is being hosted by the coastal province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu and the week-long event will go on until October 19. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

BÀ RỊA-VŨNG TÀU – The annual Pencak Silat National Championship has begun in the coastal province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu.

Pencak silat, a type of martial arts, is a fighting form that incorporates strikes, grappling and throwing. It is popular in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philipines.

Deputy director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports Huỳnh Đức Dũng kicks of the National Pencak Silat Championship 2024. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

The week-long competition organised by the Sports Authority of Việt Nam, that began on Saturday, features over 300 contestants from 28 provinces.

There will be two categories: tanding (combat events) and seni (form performances).

Tanding is in the 45-110 kg weight classes and seni includes tunggal (single), ganda (pair), regu (team), and solo creative (single) formats.

Pencak silat involves national and international competitions and it is even part of the biennial SEA Games.

The national pencak silat team performed at the opening ceremony of the championship. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

The organisers said the martial art is popular in localities like Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, Hải Dương, Đà Nẵng, and HCM City, and has seen a surge in the number and quality of exponents in recent times.

Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province has said it plans to invest in the sport.

Since coming to Việt Nam circa 1989, pencak silat has become a medal winner for the country at major Southeast Asia and global events.

Last year Vietnamese athletes bagged 20 medals at the Asian Pencak Silat Championship, and in June this year they dominated the 13th ASEAN School Games with nine golds. – VNS