Asia’s top karate athletes are set to compete at the 2026 AKF Senior Championships, taking place from June 19-21 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre in Bali, Indonesia.
More than 400 athletes from 33 countries will compete across three days of action as they battle for continental titles and qualification for the upcoming Karate World Cup.
When Are the 2026 AKF Senior Championships?
The championships will be held from June 19-21, 2026.
- June 19-20: Elimination rounds
- June 21: Medal matches and championship finals
Where Are the AKF Senior Championships Being Held?
The tournament takes place at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre in Bali, Indonesia.
Indonesia is one of Asia’s strongest karate nations and hosts this year’s continental championship after previous editions in Uzbekistan (2025), China (2024) and Malaysia (2023).
Who Is Competing?
More than 400 competitors representing 33 countries have entered the championships.
Among the largest national teams are:
- Iran – 28 athletes
- Japan – 23 athletes
- Indonesia – 22 athletes
Several defending champions also return to defend their continental titles, including competitors from Japan, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong China, Vietnam, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.
Competition Format
The AKF Senior Championships follow a single-elimination knockout format.
Athletes will compete across:
- 12 individual events
- 4 team events
- Para Karate categories
The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the upcoming Karate World Cup, with the top-performing teams earning qualification spots.
Defending Team Champions
The reigning team champions entering the 2026 championships are:
Female Kata: Vietnam
Male Kata: Japan
Female Kumite: Vietnam
Male Kumite: Jordan
What Is at Stake?
In addition to continental medals, teams will compete for qualification to the Karate World Cup.
The gold medalists, silver medalists and bronze medal-winning teams that lose to the eventual champions in each team category will secure qualification.
The 2026 AKF Senior Championships promise three days of high-level karate competition as Asia’s best athletes battle for regional supremacy and valuable qualification spots on the international stage.
