Pencak silat
Pencak silat is a martial art of the Malay world, competed in two categories. In tanding, two fighters from the red and blue corners score with punches, kicks and drops. In jurus, competitors perform routines alone, in pairs or in teams: tunggal is one performer, regu three in unison and ganda two in a choreographed fight.
New to pencak silat? Start here
How long
Three rounds of 2 minutes with a minute's rest (seniors)
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Pencak Silat World ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Every 2 years (Abu Dhabi 2024)
- 2Asian Games (pencak silat)Asia's multi-sport title, held once.Every 4 years; held in 2018 only; not on the 2026 programme
India
India has won four World Championships bronzes in all; it won no medal at the 2018 Asian Games [the two pages].
- Pencak Silat World Championships: 4 bronzes in all
- Pencak silat at the Asian Games: No medal
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndonesiaPencak silat at the Asian Games: 14 golds, 1 bronze (latest 2018)
- VietnamPencak silat at the Asian Games: 2 golds, 7 silvers, 3 bronzes (latest 2018)
- MalaysiaPencak silat at the Asian Games: 4 silvers, 4 bronzes (latest 2018)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | IPSF-PERSILAT, International Pencak Silat Competition Regulations Year 2026 |
| International federation | IPSF-PERSILAT |
| In India | Indian Pencak Silat Federation: recognised, on the MYAS list for 2026 (entry 8). |
Where and when it is played
Tanding inside an 8-metre circle on a 10-metre square mat; seniors fight three rounds of 2 minutes. The big events: the Pencak Silat World Championships every two years and the Asian Games, which held pencak silat in 2018 only.