Indonesian Karateka Eyes Asian Games Amid Limited Tryouts

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian karateka Leica Al Humaira Lubis admits that limited opportunities to compete internationally remain a challenge in her preparation for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The 21-year-old athlete revealed that several planned tryouts were canceled due to efficiency measures, including the Karate1 Series A in A Coruña, Spain, and a training camp in Egypt scheduled for August.

“Some tryouts we were registered for ended up canceled," she said in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Leica explained that missing these events affected her motivation, as tournaments like Series A and the Premier League are crucial for collecting world ranking points.

“Our rankings dropped because we didn’t join those events,” she noted, adding that fewer tryouts also limit chances to study potential opponents ahead of the Asian Games.

Despite setbacks, Leica has maintained competitive form. She competed at the Karate1 Premier League in Leshan, China, in April, before winning gold in the women’s +68kg kumite at the National Karate Championship in Bandung in May.

Her biggest achievement came in June at the Asian Senior Karate Championship in Bali, where she claimed the continental title by defeating Jordan’s Yara Naser in the final. Nepal’s Arika Gurung and Japan’s Yuzuki Kataoka shared bronze.

Leica acknowledged that hosting the Asian Championship provided valuable experience but said the atmosphere differed from competing abroad. “It’s different when we’re the host compared to playing outside,” she reflected.

Indonesia’s karate team has been in centralized training since January to prepare for the Asian Games. Alongside Leica, the squad includes Christopher Edbert Setiabudi (men’s kata), Marzella Sekar Damayanti (women’s kata), Daniel Hutapea (men’s +84kg kumite), M. Tegar Januar (men’s -55kg kumite), and Cok Istri Sanistya Rani (women’s -55kg kumite).

For Leica, the Asian title offers confidence, but she remains aware that limited exposure to international tryouts could pose challenges in Japan. Still, her recent victories highlight her readiness to pursue gold at the continent’s biggest multi-sport event. ***