2026 Asian Modern Pentathlon U-17 & U-19 Championship Officially Opened

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta — The 2026 Asian Modern Pentathlon Championships (AMPC) for the U-17 and U-19 categories were officially inaugurated at the Ballroom of Hotel Mustika, Yogyakarta, on Monday, May 11, 2026. The tournament draws athletes from India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

The Chairperson of the Indonesian Modern Pentathlon Federation (MPI) Central Board, Air Vice Marshal Purwoko Aji Prabowo, extended a welcome to all delegations and called on participants to uphold the values of respect and sportsmanship in their pursuit of the podium.

"Let us hold high our sense of respect and esteem as we compete for the podium. We share one great ambition, which is to elevate Asian Modern Pentathlon to the world stage," said Purwoko Aji.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Youth and Sports Ministry, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Indonesia, the Yogyakarta Provincial Administration, the Asian Modern Pentathlon Confederation, and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM). The Governor of Yogyakarta Province, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, expressed the province's pride in being chosen as the host city for this continental-level championship.

"It is a great honor for Yogyakarta to host this Asian championship. May the spirit of sportsmanship be upheld to the highest degree throughout the competition," said Sri Sultan.

Modern pentathlon is widely regarded as the ultimate sport, challenging athletes across five disciplines within a single competitive sequence, which are fencing, obstacle course riding, swimming, running, and laser pistol shooting.

This demanding combination of physical endurance, mental focus, and technical precision is expected to forge champions worthy of the title of super athlete.

The championship is hoped to proceed smoothly and serve as a springboard for young Indonesian athletes to make their mark on the international stage. Promising young talents from across Asia will compete for supremacy in what is set to be a showcase of the continent's rising athletic generation.

Chairperson of the Coaching Committee of both the AMPC and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), Liu Shen-Hung, commended Indonesia's readiness to host the 2026 championship. He expressed hope that the event would strengthen bonds of friendship across the Asian modern pentathlon community.

The championship is also seen as a platform for nurturing Asia's next generation of Olympic-caliber athletes, as young competitors vie for podium finishes on their journey toward the world stage. (Annaila Azzahra/EN)