Hong Kong, China, August 20, 2026: The Asian Kickboxing Confederation, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Kickboxing Association, hosted the 2nd Cross-Strait Cities Kickboxing Invitational Tournament at Sai Kung from August 13–16.
Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025, this year’s tournament once again brought together athletes and officials from across the region, reinforcing the role of kickboxing as a bridge for cultural exchange and sporting diplomacy.
The opening ceremony on August 14 was attended by Mr. Edgar J.T. Yang, Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, alongside other VIP guests. Their participation underscored the growing recognition of kickboxing within the wider sporting community and highlighted Hong Kong’s leadership in regional sports development.
On August 15, the tournament welcomed a courtesy visit from Mr. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, together with Secretary General Mr. Wharton Chan. Their presence symbolized solidarity and friendship.
Teams competing in the invitational included Hong Kong, China, the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Taipei and Macau, China, with the Philippines joining as a special guest delegation.
A total of 37 athletes competed, 22 men and 15 women, across three ring styles. They were supported by 16 national team coaches, 11 referees and over 50 officials. International Technical Officials came from Kazakhstan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.
The tournament was led and supervised by Nasser Nassiri, President of the Asian Kickboxing Confederation, whose vision continues to drive the growth of the sport in Asia. He was joined by De Jeong, Vice President of AKC and Chairman of the Technical Committee, ensuring the highest standards of competition and officiating.
President Nassiri praised the Hong Kong Kickboxing Association for its organizational excellence and highlighted the importance of the event in strengthening regional ties.
“This invitational is more than a competition – it is a celebration of unity, discipline and the shared heritage of martial arts across Asia,” he said.
“The presence of distinguished guests and athletes from across the region reflects the growing influence of kickboxing as a platform for friendship and cooperation.”
(Asian Kickboxing Confederation)
