Indonesia Targets Karate Gold, Challenges Japan in Asian Games

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is targeting gold medals in karate at the 2026 Asian Games, with the national team aiming to turn recent continental success into podium finishes while challenging hosts Japan in the kata events.

Chairman of the Indonesian Karate-Do Associoation (Forki) Hadi Tjahjanto said the team has set a clear target of winning gold in kumite while challenging its kata athletes to overcome Japan's strength.

"Our clear hope, which we are certain we can achieve, is gold in kumite. We also challenged the athletes to win gold in kata and beat Japan," Hadi said during the send-off ceremony for Indonesia's karate team for the 2026 Asian Games in Jakarta on Monday, September 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Hadi identified Leica Al Humaira Lubis as one of Indonesia's main hopes for a kumite gold medal, while Christopher Edbert Setiabudi is expected to deliver a similar result in kata.

"The gold target is Leica in kumite. For the other one, in kata, we also expect gold from Christo. From what I have seen on the field, I am confident they can achieve it," he said.

Leica heads to Japan with strong momentum after winning the women's +68 kg kumite gold medal at the 2026 Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Championships in Bali in June this year.

Meanwhile, Christo previously won gold in the men's senior individual kata at the 2026 Southeast Asian Karate Federation (SEAKF) Championships in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

Hadi said Japan would be one of Indonesia's toughest opponents, particularly because the hosts have a strong tradition in karate. "If we look at previous events, Japan is indeed one of the strongest. If we can beat Japan, that would be a source of pride for all of us," he continued.

Forki has prepared six karate athletes for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. They are Christopher Edbert Setiabudi in men's kata, Marzella Sekar Damayanti in women's kata, Daniel Hutapea in men's +84 kg kumite, M. Tegar Januar in men's -55 kg kumite, Leica Al Humaira Lubis in women's +68 kg kumite, and Cok Istri Sanistya Rani in women's -55 kg kumite.

He said the team has undergone around seven months of preparation, focusing not only on physical and technical abilities but also on studying opponents' strengths and developing competition strategies.

"I think seven months has been enough to prepare them, both mentally and physically, and make them ready to become winners," he emphasized.

He also reminded the Indonesian karate athletes to maintain their confidence when facing pressure from opponents on the tatami.

"Stay motivated and stay united. Of course, you must have high confidence when facing opponents in competition. We cannot be weak, and our mentality must not fall just because we are intimidated on the tatami," he concluded.

Karate at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 23 at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium, Japan. ***