The USA Pencak Silat Federation held its first Ganda tournament in Rockville, MD with dozens of participates from across the Washington DC area and beyond. Participants included youth as young as 8 years old to adults (over 40). See video highlights from the tournament:
Pencak Silat sport ganda, also known as “double Pencak Silat,” is a type of competition that involves pairs of Pencak Silat practitioners performing a choreographed fighting skit. In a ganda tournament, teams of two people compete against each other using the techniques and principles of Pencak Silat, with the goal of outmaneuvering and defeating their opponents. Ganda is usually 3 minutes in International Competition.
In South-East asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, ganda competitions are held at various levels, from local tournaments to national and international championships. These competitions are an important part of the Pencak Silat community, as they provide a platform for practitioners to showcase their skills and compete against each other in a safe and controlled environment.
In addition to its competitive aspect, Pencak Silat ganda is also seen as an important way to promote the art and its cultural heritage, as well as to foster cooperation and friendship among practitioners from different regions and backgrounds. Pencak Silat ganda competitions are therefore an important part of the Pencak Silat community, and are valued for the opportunities they provide for both competition and cultural exchange.
In the United States, there are several organizations that promote the practice of Pencak Silat, including the United States Pencak Silat Federation and the USSSA. These organizations often host training seminars and competitions, as well as provide access to qualified instructors.
