The Philippines is set to become a global hub for young martial arts talent as it prepares to host a major international karate tournament in 2026. The country will welcome the world's best youth karatekas for the third leg of the Karate One-Youth League.
World-Class Event Lands in Manila
The Philippines will host the third leg of the Karate One-Youth League on May 14-17, 2026. The action will unfold at the iconic SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. This tournament is exclusively for athletes aged 14 to 17, marking a crucial platform for the next generation of karate stars.
The 2026 league circuit begins in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates from February 12-15. It then moves to Harare, Zimbabwe in late March before arriving in Manila. After the Philippine leg, the competition continues in Poreč, Croatia (July), Guadalajara, Mexico (September), and concludes in Venice, Italy in December.
Road to the Global Stage for Filipino Karatekas
To select the national team that will compete on home soil, Karate Pilipinas will organize a national championship in Tagaytay, Cavite in March 2026. This event will determine which young athletes earn the right to represent the country in this high-caliber championship.
When asked about the medal prospects for the Filipino contingent, Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim offered a measured perspective. "We can’t say for now since most of them will be competing for the first time in a high-caliber championship," Lim stated during an interview on December 25, 2025. He emphasized that the experience itself is invaluable for their development.
Building a Legacy for Philippine Karate
This event is significant for the local sports scene. An estimated 100 countries are expected to participate, making it the largest karate tournament hosted by the Philippines since the 2024 Asian Youth Championships. President Lim explained the strategic vision behind pursuing such events.
"We started hosting youth events since last year to promote and upgrade our young athletes because they will be the next generation of karatekas in the Philippines," he said. "Also to give them a world-class karate event. Those who will not participate will benefit from it by experiencing the hosting."
Lim speaks from profound experience. As a former athlete, he achieved a career-best world ranking of No. 8. His medal haul includes gold in team kata and individual bronze at the 1989 SEA Games, individual kata gold in 1991, an Asian Games bronze in 1994, and another bronze at the 1995 Asian Championships.
The successful organization of the event receives full government support. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as the lead of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), is assisting Karate Pilipinas.
This committee was formalized under Administrative Order No. 38, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 29. PSC Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio serves as the NST-IAC chairman, with the Department of Tourism Secretary as vice-chairperson. Key members include the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
The hosting of the Karate One-Youth League represents a major step in elevating the profile of karate in the Philippines, providing an unparalleled opportunity for young athletes to shine on an international stage while boosting the country's reputation as a premier sports tourism destination.
