Yogyakarta. Eight countries are taking part in the U-17 and U-19 Asian Modern Pentathlon Championships (AMPC) 2026, which officially opened at the Indonesian Air Force Academy Sports Complex in Yogyakarta on May 10–17.

The Asian-level youth competition brings together athletes from Indonesia, India, Thailand, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Chinese Taipei, all competing for titles in one of the sport’s most demanding multi-discipline events.

As host nation, Indonesia has fielded 20 of its top athletes, selected through a national championship held last month.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Modern Pentathlon Association (PP MPI), Ridwan Gultom, said Indonesia is aiming to secure medals at the event, which is the first time the U-17 and U-19 Asian championships are being held in the country.

“We are hoping to win medals. This is the first time the U-17 and U-19 Asian championships are being held in Indonesia,” Ridwan said on Tuesday.

He acknowledged that competition in Asia is strong, as several participating countries have been developing modern pentathlon programs for decades. Despite this, Indonesia remains optimistic about its chances at the youth level.

“The competition in Asia is quite tough because we are still relatively new in pentathlon, while other countries have been developing it for more than 50 years. But we can still compete,” he said.

Ridwan said participation in international competitions is key for Indonesian athletes to gain experience and prepare for higher-level events such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.

“In the future, we hope to reach the Olympics. That is why we continue to intensify competitions so our athletes can gain international experience,” he added.

He added that Indonesia has shown progress in modern pentathlon and has already secured qualification for the upcoming Asian Games.

As host, Indonesia sees AMPC 2026 as an important opportunity to strengthen youth athlete development and improve its competitiveness in the Asian sporting landscape.