Manila: The Philippines is set to host the third leg of the Karate One-Youth League from May 14-17, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. This prestigious event, catering to athletes aged 14-17, highlights the country's commitment to nurturing young talent in the sport of karate.
According to Philippines News Agency, the tournament will begin in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, from February 12-15, followed by a leg in Harare, Zimbabwe, from March 27-29. Other stages of the competition will take place in Porec, Croatia (July 2-5), Guadalajara, Mexico (September 17-21), and Venice, Italy (December 10-13).
In preparation for the global event, a National Championships will be held in Tagaytay, Cavite, in March to select Filipino athletes who will compete on the world stage. Richard Lim, president of Karate Pilipinas, expressed cautious optimism regarding the medal prospects of Filipino athletes, noting that many will be experiencing such a high-caliber championship for the first time.
The Karate One-Youth League is expected to attract participants from approximately 100 countries, marking it as the largest karate tournament in the Philippines since the 2024 Asian Youth Karate Championships in Pasig City. Lim emphasized the importance of hosting such events to promote and elevate the skills of young Filipino karatekas, who represent the future of the sport in the country.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is leading the organization of the event through the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC). Under Administrative Order No. 38, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., PSC chief Patrick 'Pato' Gregorio will chair the NST-IAC, with support from the Department of Tourism as vice-chairperson and other government bodies.
