HERNDON, Va. — September 26, 2026 — The USA Pencak Silat Federation held its 2026 U.S. Pencak Silat Championships on September 26 in the Washington DC area (Herndon, Virginia), bringing together athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters from across the United States for a full day of competition and Indonesian culture.
The championship featured both the artistic and fighting aspects of Pencak Silat, with competitors ranging in age from just 5 years old to 43 years old.
The Seni competition included 46 competitors across 12 divisions, representing several disciplines of artistic Pencak Silat: Tunggal, Ganda, Regu, and Open Forms, a solo creative category.
The Tanding, or fighting, competition featured 49 competitors across 13 divisions, providing athletes of different ages, weights, and experience levels an opportunity to test their skills in competitive matches.
Silat Schools Come Together
Competitors traveled from multiple states and represented a variety of Pencak Silat schools and organizations. Among the coaches bringing teams were Chris Robinson and Carol Marley of Williamsburg Dojo, Brandon Hadisoemarto of Inti Ombak and USSSA, and Adam Pereira of Silat Academy.
The turnout reflected the continued development of competitive Pencak Silat in the United States and provided an opportunity for practitioners from different Silat backgrounds to compete together under a common ruleset.
“I am so happy to see such an incredible turnout for our event and amazed at the level of skill displayed in the tournament,” said Abdul-Malik Ahmad, vice president of the USA Pencak Silat Federation. “ After seeing the competitors, I am excited for the future of Pencak Silat in the United States.”
Indonesian Culture Opens the Championship
The tournament was attended by Indroyono Soesilo, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, who officially opened the championship with the traditional striking of the gong.
The opening program also featured a performance of Rampak Kendang by the Nusantara Budaya community, bringing a cultural component to a tournament centered on Indonesia’s most recognized traditional martial arts.
The championship used the 2026 Pencak Silat competition rules issued by PERSILAT, the International Pencak Silat Federation, giving athletes and officials experience with the latest international standards.
Technology and Safety Support a Smooth Tournament
A new electronic scoring platform, Silat Score, was used for the Tanding competition. The system allowed judges to electronically record scoring throughout each match and helped tournament officials manage the competition efficiently.
Organizer Sakina Ahmad said the scoring system was crucial to keeping the tournament running smoothly.
“The event ran smoothly and we ended on time, which is rare for most martial arts tournaments,” Ahmad said. “I am so thankful for the great number of judges, scorekeepers, and volunteers who helped make this event happen.”
Safety measures were also in place throughout the championship, with EMT personnel available to respond to potential injuries. Despite nearly 50 athletes participating in the fighting competition, there were no significant injuries, with competitors experiencing only a few minor bumps and bruises.
2026 Championship Awards
At the conclusion of the tournament, four athletes were recognized for outstanding performances across the Seni and Tanding competitions:
- Best Male Seni: Zacharia Mohamed
- Best Female Seni: Asiya Saleem
- Best Male Tanding: Yusuf Omari
- Best Female Tanding: Kelli Bouley
The 2026 championship demonstrated how Pencak Silat continues to transcend geographical boundaries while remaining firmly connected to its Indonesian roots. From five-year-old athletes taking their first steps into competition to experienced adult practitioners, the Herndon tournament brought together different generations and schools through a shared practice.
With growing participation, updated international rules, new scoring technology, and continued connections to Indonesian culture, the championship offered an encouraging glimpse of the future of Pencak Silat in the United States.
