Pencak Silat in The World

Pencak Silat has grown rapidly during the 20th century and has been a sports competition under the control and regulation Persilat (Persekutuan Pencak Silat Between Nations, or the International Pencak Silat Federation). Pencak Silat is being promoted by Persilat in several countries across the 5 continents, with the goal of making martial arts became an Olympic sport. Persilat promoting Pencak Silat as an international sporting competition. Only members are allowed to participate Persilat recognized in international competition.

Now, some European national federations of martial arts along with Persilat has established the European Pencak Silat Federation. In 1986 the World Pencak Silat Championship first outside Asia, takes place in Vienna, Austria.


In 2002 Pencak Silat program was introduced as part of a performance at the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea for the first time. The last World Championship was in 2002 took place in Penang, Malaysia in December 2002.

Aside from efforts Persilat that make martial arts as sport games, there are many schools of traditional old martial art that develops with the name Silek and Silat in various parts of the world. It is estimated that there are hundreds of streams (styles) and thousands of college.