Sports officials, karate teams and trainers from Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday attend the opening ceremony of the Vientiane Open Karate Championships.

Young martial artists compete in Vientiane Open Karate Championships

More than 140 practitioners of karate and their trainers from clubs in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday gathered at the Vientiane Center on Saturday to put their skills to the test.

Referees indicate the winner of the boys’ singles kata event.

The championships comprise 66 events, with contestants competing in eight age groups -- U6, 8, 10, 12, 14, cadets, juniors and seniors -- and matches taking place on August 29 and 30.
The kata (dance) session on Saturday featured the boys’ and girls’ singles and boys’ and girls’ team events.
The kumite (combat) competition on Sunday comprised the men’s and women’s singles and men’s and women’s singles events.
The opening ceremony on Saturday was attended by the President of the Lao Karatedo Federation, Mr Keovisouk Solaphom, members of the National

A Lao girl (right) prepares to take on an opponent from Thailand.

Olympic Committee of Laos, and sports officials and sponsors from the four competing countries.
Mr Keovisouk said the competition aimed to be a friendly event and he hoped it would be organised every year to help improve the skills of young Lao martial artists as they learn to comply with the rules of the World Karatedo Federation.
The Lao Karatedo Federation would select the best contestants for competition at the international level and the championships would prepare the Lao karate team for the Asian Games taking place in Japan next month, Mr Keovisouk said.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 30, 2026)