Pencak Silat is a traditional Indonesian martial art that combines self-defence, athletic performance, artistic expression, and cultural heritage. Rooted in centuries of tradition, it promotes discipline, respect, and unity while evolving into a modern international combat sport.
The International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT) was founded in 1980 to preserve the authenticity of the sport, standardize international competition, and support its global development. Since then, Pencak Silat has expanded to more than 70 countries, made its SEA Games debut in 1987, featured at the Asian Games in 2018, and was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.
Today, Pencak Silat continues its journey towards Olympic recognition, bringing together athletes worldwide through a unique blend of tradition, technical excellence, sportsmanship, and cultural values.
