02 December 1999

KONI, IPSI cancel pencak silat c'ships

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) and the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) canceled the pencak silat national championships here due to plans by some parties to hoist the independent West Papua Morning Star flag on Wednesday.

The championships will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2000 National Games.

Irian Jaya coach Isak Montolalu said on Monday the event was canceled based on a recommendation from the championships' organizing committee.

"This is to anticipate the possibility of something bad happening to athletes from all over the country," he said, adding that Irian Jaya's goal was to win two pencak silat golds at PON.

The championships were rescheduled for January 2000 in Jayapura.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-57899289/koni-ipsi-cancel-pencak.html

29 September 1999

SEVEN STATES TO DISPLAY THEIR SILAT TALENTS AT CARNIVAL

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Seven states will display their silat talents at the Malaysia Silat Carnival scheduled for Sunday at the Dewan Majlis Daerah in Kemaman.

They are Pahang, Penang, Johor, Melaka, Kelantan, Selangor and hosts Terengganu.

Manager of the Mayang Sari Malaysia Martial Arts Federation of Terengganu Ya'ani Ali said today Pahang would send three teams, Terengganu two and the other states, one each.

"We expect some 300 silat experts to take part in the carnival which is being held for the first time in Terengganu," he told Bernama.

Ya'ani said apart from attracting tourists, the carnival was being held to foster closer friendship among silat bodies in the country and to promote the cultural heritage of the nation.

Various forms of self-defence would be presented by the silat experts during the one-day carnival to be opened by Terengganu Menteri Besar Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55928028/seven-states-display-their.html

19 September 1999

Eddie Nalapraya reelected as IPSI chief

JAKARTA (JP): Eddie Marzuki Nalapraya was reelected as chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) in the three-day national congress at the Pencak Silat Training Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.

Eddie received support on Saturday from four of five regions representing IPSI's 26 provincial chapters in the country and representatives of pencak silat schools. He will serve another four-year term.

He said he would hold a one-year training program to prepare athletes for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur. The training will start after the 2000 National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June.

Indonesia considers Vietnam as its major rival in the sport after the latter won the overall pencak silat title in the 1999 SEA Games with seven golds. Indonesia, where pencak silat originated, was second with five golds, below its target of eight golds.

Eddie also pledged to train juniors throughout the country.

"Without sustainable training, there won't be good fighters," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Eddie will be assisted by Oyong Karmayudha, Abdul Hamid and Darmaji.

Eddie, a retired Army lieutenant-general who is also the chief of a group for the native Betawi people of Jakarta (Bamus Betawi), previously appealed to the congress to consider his age in deciding upon his suitability to remain as chairman.

"I have been chairman of IPSI for 20 years and I am 68 now. There should be someone to replace me," he said.

Republika daily quoted Eddie as naming three possible successors: former chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command Prabowo Subianto, Suhana Budjana and Rosano Barak. Prabowo was said to be the strongest contender.

However, congress members decided Eddie should remain as their leader.

"Pak Eddie is the right man for the position and nobody could replace him. He must lead the pencak silat body," Isak Montolalu from IPSI's Irian Jaya chapter was quoted by Media Indonesia daily as saying.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55794300/eddie-nalapraya-reelected-ipsi.html

09 September 1999

Vietnam awards Indonesian coach

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's pencak silat coach, Suhartono, received the Huan Chuong Lao Dong Hang Ba award from Vietnam President Tran Duc Luong in Hanoi last week.

Suhartono also received the Huan Chuong VI Su Nghiep The Duc The Thao award from the Vietnam National Olympics Committee, Antara reported.

Suhartono, who has been coaching Vietnamese pencak silat fighters since 1995, was able to bring the country to earning seven gold medals, four silvers and three bronzes in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam last month.

The result was double that of the 1997 Games here, in which Vietnam took home three golds, three silvers and two bronzes.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55704338/vietnam-awards-indonesian-coach.html

14 August 1999

Indonesia second best in pencak silat

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP):Indonesia was forced to acknowledge the emerging supremacy of Vietnam in pencak silat as the event closed at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Friday.

Indonesia's five golds, three silvers and six bronzes failed to meet the goal of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) for seven golds. Indonesia won 17 of 21 golds at stake at the Games two years ago.

Vietnam topped the medal standings with six golds, four silvers and two bronzes, doubling its achievement from two years ago.

Indonesian first-timer Permata Kemalasari Ladowo, 19, dashed the hopes of the 5,000-strong home crowd, which included Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, by upsetting Umi Kalthum Abdul Karim in the women's class A (45-50kgs).

"She had all the support, but it didn't discourage me from fighting against her," Permata said. "On the contrary, I was motivated to beat her in front of the sultan and her public. I wanted to prove everybody that I can do it and I'm sure I have the blessings from God."

Khaltum, who lit the cauldron at the Games opening last week, said her opponent was better prepared.

Indonesian veteran Ni Made Wahyuni overwhelmed Nguyet Minh Le of Vietnam in the women's class E (65-70 kilograms) for gold.

His compatriot Abas Akbar outclassed Brunei's Faudillah Hj Md Ghani in the men's class D (60-65kgs) despite a cut mouth.

Unfortunately, Ni Made Suparmi broke her right arm and was forced to retire in the women's class C (55-60kgs) final against Vietnamese Thi Mui.

IPSI secretary-general Oyong Karmayudha expressed dissatisfaction over his fighters' achievements this year.

"We must be introspective about the national training programs. There's nobody who really wants to devote themselves to developing pencak silat across the nation. Only IPSI does."

He blamed the brief training period and fund shortages for the poor showing.

"In 1997, we had one year to prepare ourselves for the event. The long period allowed us to improve our regional fighters to meet the national standards.

"This year, we only had three months to prepare and limited funds to finance overseas stints. I don't blame the National Sports Council (KONI) for failing to support us. It should be the government who finances our preparation."

He dismissed charges that the refereeing was biased against the Indonesians and faulted his athletes for sometimes failing to heed the rules.

"Some of them do not understand the rules. For example, a rule says that one fighter is only allowed to perform for three minutes. If the fighter performs more or less than the given time, there is a penalty."

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55506584/indonesia-second-best-pencak.html

11 August 1999

VIETNAM SEND FIVE EXPONENTS INTO SILAT FINALS

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Vietnam are poised for a golden harvest in pencak silat as five of their exponents won their semi-finals at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex here tonight.

Vietnam showed their prowess in the Wiralaga category when Huu Long Nguyen beat Rony Syaifullah of Indonesia in the men's Class G (75kg-80kg), while Thanh Thuy Nguyen overcame Brunei's Shahril Hj Mayalin in the men's Class A (45kg-50kg).

Another Vietnamese golden hope, Thi Thuy Dang, eliminated Dayangku Nani Suryati Pg Hussin of Brunei in the women's Class D semi-finals.

Nguyet Minh Le then beat Siti Fairuza Md Zainuddin of Singapore in the women's Class E and Bach Nhut Nguyen Thanh defeated Singaporean Jusri Abd Karim in the men's Class I (85kg-90kg) to cap a fine day for the Vietnamese.

Malaysia put two into the finals when Ahmad Faisal Omar outclassed Huzairi Kasim of Singapore in men's Class H, while Shuhardi Chin beat Md Syamsuddin Ibrahim of Brunei in the men's Class B.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55431377/vietnam-send-five-exponents.html

10 August 1999

Gold and bronze from silat

Brunei won a gold and a bronze medals in the Pencak Silat event yesterday.

The first gold for Brunei was won by Ak. Haji Mohd Shahepol Radin Pg Haji Tajuddin in the Wiragana Putra or men's solo category in the Arts event.

Ak. Hj Mohd Shahepol, 22, gained an overall score of 229 points for his demonstration in the arts of Pencak Silat beating Indonesian Eko Wahyudi with 204 points into second place. Malaysian Hisham Othaman came in third with 200 points.

Meanwhile Brunei's bronze medal was won in the Wiraloka Jurus Wajib - Putri or women's trio event with a total score of 407 points.

The three Bruneians were Saltinawati Hj A. Bakar, Noraisah Hj. Ali and Rasidah Hj. Lamit. First place was won by Indonesia with 440 points followed by Vietnam with 436 points.

In the Wirasanggha Putri or women's double play Indonesians Heni Marhendrawati and Widaya Astuti won first place with an overall score of 214 points followed by Malaysia represented by Noorsyahhidawati Abdullah Sani and Shalina Abdul Ghaffar who gained 206 points. Third place went to Philippines with Shelly Vivit and Angelica Starlight Rivera with 196 points.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55405894/sports-gold-and-bronze.html

09 August 1999

Brunei: Silat regains glamour

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP) - Pencat Silat, the popular martial art used more than 400 years ago to ward off colonialism and piracy in the Malay archipelago, is regaining its glamour with keen competition expected in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here.

The sport originated in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei but has caught on quickly in the rest of the region.

Silat is the generic term used to describe the martial art in most countries, but in Indonesia it is referred to as Pencak Silat, and in the other countries as "seni silat."

Known as a fierce Muslim art of war in the Malay archipelago in the 15th century, silat was used extensively to keep treason and colonialism at bay, experts say.

It is a comprehensive combat art covering all ranges from weapons to ground fighting. Because the art is all encompassing, it has been described as a "jack of all trades", experts say.

It incorporates the power of karate and Thai boxing with the sensitivity of kung fu and the locks and throws of jiu jitsu plus specialist additions not found in many other martial arts, according to the experts.

Brunei is banking on the sport to break its six-year gold drought at this 20th SEA games.

Apart from Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Cambodia, the other competing nations in the games are Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

In the last SEA Games in Jakarta in 1997, only 20 gold medals in silat were up for grabs, with Indonesia sweeping 17 amid allegations of biased umpiring from participants, including Singapore and Malaysia.

But Indonesian officials hope such claims will not crop up again here.

Indonesia's assistant team manager Jan A. Pandey considered Brunei a "neutral" avenue for some explosive action without any claims of unfair judging. He had declined to reveal his team's medal target.

"Our silat exponents will give their best," he said.

Malaysian coach Chin Hajeed also said he hoped allegations of unfair judging would be a thing of the past.

"I believe that Brunei will be the best arena for pencat silat, and only the best silat exponents will win," he said. "I hope our silat exponents will win."

But Malaysia could face an uphill battle "because other countries like favourites Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam have strong teams."

In the last games, Malaysia only managed five silver and six bronze medals but are targeting five gold medals in silat here.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55394022/brunei-silat-regains-glamour.html

SHAHEPOL STRIKES FIRST GOLD FOR BRUNEI

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- After three days, Brunei finally won their first gold of the SEA Games here when Awangku Shahepol Radin Pengiran Tajuddin triumphed in the men's pencak silat wiragana-solo category tonight.

His comfortable win sent the crowd into wild celebration at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex here.

He collected 229 points to beat Indonesian Eko Wahyudi and Malaysian Hisham Othaman into second and third places respectively. The Indonesian had 204 ponits and the Malaysian 200.

"I think all the Bruneians are very proud with him and I strongly believe that our silat exponents will come out with other good results," said Brunei silat team manager Haji Shahri Awang Besar.

"Actually, that's an unexpected gold medal, and it is a remarkable achievement for Shahepol Radin who is on his first assignment in the SEA Games," he said.

Today's gold is only the fourth ever for Brunei in the Games.

In the women's wirasangga-double play category, Heni Marhendrawati/Widaya Astuti of Indonesia clinched the gold with 240 points.

The silver medal went to Malaysians Noorsyahhidawati Abdullah Sani and Shalina Abdul Ghafar who collected 206 points, while the bronze was grabbed by Filipinos Shelly Vivit and Angelica Starlight Rivera with 196 points.

Brunei also won the bronze in the women's wiraloka-compulsory style through Saltinawat A Bakar, Noraisah Ali and Rasidah Lamit who amassed 407 points.

The gold medal was won by the Indonesian trio of Siti Dwi Astuti, Siti Sugiharti and Hermy Setyawaty which collected 440 points.

The silver was clinched by Vietnam's Ngoc Tho Nguyen Thi, Nhung Nguyen Hong and Anh Tuyet Bui.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55405461/shahepol-strikes-first-gold.html

Brunei silat trio in awesome form

Silat exponents, Faudillah Hj Abd Ghani, Umi Kalthum and Ramlee Hj Jaluddin all successfully won their matches during the preliminary round of the Wiralaga event which began yesterday at the Multi Purpose Hall of the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

Ramlee, who was the first of the three to win his match, won 4 points to 1 against Ba Thaung of Myanmar in the male Wiralaga class 'C' event. Ramlee said that he found the match to be a bit difficult at first as his opponent was a more experienced fighter. Fortunately, he added, one of his teammates, Md. Syamsuddin, had previously competed against Ba Thaung during the SEA Games in Jakarta two years ago which gave him the added advantage of knowing his opponent's fighting tactics.

Umi Kalthum, fighting in the women's Wiralaga class 'A' event, also gained a 4 points to 1 win against Thailand's Wantanee Boonaied. The athlete who ignited the SEA Games cauldron in last night's opening ceremony was visibly pleased when the judges announced her triumph over Boonaied. Faudillah Hj Abd Ghani, the third Bruneian exponent in yesterday's preliminary round was the most impressive of the three. Faudillah, with his aggressive tactics thoroughly beat Malaysia's Mohd Rizal Mohd Arib with 5 points to 0 in the men's class 'D' Wiralaga event.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55394047/sport-brunei-silat-trio.html

03 August 1999

No pomp and glamour in medal chase

TWO years ago, the silat exponents arrived in Jakarta for the Sea Games with pomp and glamour.

Officials were confident they would be the ones to beat and even deny hosts Indonesia the lion's share of gold medals.

In the end, the exponents were reduced to making allegations of biased judging as Indonesia took 17 of the 21 gold medals at stake.

Malaysia won none and had to settle for a meagre haul of five silver and three bronze medals.

Two years later, expectations are again high. The Malaysian exponents are looking at a possible five out of the 21 gold medals at stake in Brunei.

Not even the absence of world champion Nor Haslinda Ahmad, forced out by an ankle injury, can prick the optimistic mood prevailing in the silat camp.

"We will miss Nor Haslinda but I believe we have other exponents who are capable of winning gold," said coach Chin Hajeed

Nor Haslinda was the sole woman from whom a gold medal was targetted as the other four who will be contesting in silat olahraga (combat) are Sea Games debutants.

The other women are Roshamin (Class A), Rina Jordanan Adnan (B), Rozita Latiff (C) and Shabnam Mokhtar (D).

That shifts the burden of winning gold onto the shoulders of the men and Chin believes they are up to the task.

Azhar Ahmad, who will be competing in the 75-80kg combat category, is one of those targetted to win gold. Azhar won a world championship gold in 1997.

Zakri Ibrahim's chances should not be discounted as he had shown before he is capable of rising to the occasion.

A gold medallist in the Chiangmai Games in 1995, Zakri lost in the quarterfinals in Jakarta but is intent on returning from Brunei with a medal.

Malaysia are also banking on one gold from the silat seni (artistic) events and have targetted the trio of Ramizan Maanap, Yefrizal Nadzir and Shahrulnizam Kasim to deliver.

The possibility of surprise gold medals is always there as the judging, which came under tremendous bashing in Jakarta, is expected to be fairer in Brunei.

"We have been assured that the Jakarta episode will not be repeated and that is our guarantee as well. We will definitely do better than our 1997 achievement."

FACT FILE PENCAK SILAT Squad : Exponents Men (combat): Rosmin Kamil,

Shuhardi Chin, Nordin Atan, Rizal

Mohamed, Zulkifli Seman, Fazly Mansoh, Azhar

Ahmad, Azrin Abdul Malek Faisal Omar, Zakri

Ibrahim.

Artistic: Hisham Othman, Marwan Mat Rus,

Mohamed Zainal, Ramizam Abdul Manaf,

Yefrizal Nadzir, Sharulnizam Kasim.

Women (combat): Rosnani Hassan, Rina

Jordana Adnan, Rozita Latip, Shabnam

Mohamed.

Artistic: Che Siti Hajar Che Abdul Rahim,

Noorsyahiddwati Abdullah Sani, Shalina

Abdul Ghafar. Manager : Datuk Mohamed Satim Osman Coaches : Jaheed Chin, Jufri Osman Venue : Youth Centre, Bandar Seri Begawan Medals at Stake : Silat Olahraga (combat): 15 gold,

15 silver, 30 bronze. 1997 Achievement : 5 silver, 9 bronze 1999 Target : 5 gold Competition Dates : August 9-14

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55351184/no-pomp-and-glamour.html

28 July 1999

Brunei to bank on pencak silat for gold in SEA Games

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 28 (Bernama) -- Brunei, who were not impressive in the last SEA Games in Jakarta, are hoping for a turn of fortune in their own turf to end Indonesia's dominance in Pencak Silat in the 20th SEA Games here next month.

"They have been performing very well in training and if they could maintain their form, maybe we can come out with good results, if possible, winning gold medals," said Team Manager Shahri Awang Besar.

He said Brunei's silat exponents were currently undergoing the final phase of training under the watchful eyes of their coach Awang Hassan Haji Tuah and should be in tip-top condition for the clash which starts on Aug 8 at the Mutli-Purpose Hall of the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex, here.

"I hope our silat exponents will rise to the occasion. But, this is not going to be easy because other countries like Indonesia, Veitnam, Malaysia and Singapore are also sending a strong team," he said.

In the last SEA Games, powerhouse Indonesia captured 17 gold medals out of 20 events at stake in Pencak Silat while Vietnam grabbed the rest.

Brunei won two silver and two bronze medals in the Games. The silvers came through silat exponent Syahril Mayalin in the Wiragana (solo) and brothers Metali Daud, Mohamed Yussof Daud and Mohamed Rudi Daud in Wirakola compulsory category.

Muhammad Syamsuddin Ibrahim, who competed in Silat Class C (Above 55 up to 60kg) and Nooras Abdullah in the Class I (above 85kg up to 90kg) delivered the bronze medals.

Brunei have so far collected two gold medals in Pencak Silat through Zabidi Ali in 1987 in Jakarta and Umi Kalsum in Singapore in 1993.

Host Brunei are sending 28 silat exponents including 11 women for this year's Games.

Meanwhile, Malaysia, who are also eyeing gold, would send 31 members including officials.

Written by NEWMOND TIBIN
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55298260/brunei-bank-pencak-silat.html

26 July 1999

Pencak silat upbeat about SEAG target

JAKARTA (JP): Pencak silat is known all over the world as Indonesia's martial art. In international tournaments, Indonesian athletes have always dominated the event. But for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month, Indonesia is tipped to only win eight of 21 golds on offer in the event.

This figure is only half of Indonesia's victory total in the 1997 SEA Games here, where they won 17 of the 20 golds. The other three golds went to Vietnam. Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) chairman Eddy Nalapraya expressed optimism Indonesian athletes would be able to reach the target of eight golds.

"We are still optimistic for all the events, but the skills of the athletes from other Southeast Asian countries are almost equal to our athletes," he said, as quoted by Republika daily. SEA Games chef de mission Mochammad Hindarto has expressed his disappointment with the medal targets of several main sports organizations target, saying the goals were too low.

"It's quite impossible that our pencak silat athletes can only win eight gold medals. I'm sure they can win more," he said. However, IPSI executive director Oyong Kramayudha said Indonesian athletes were having difficulty with their training.

"Neighboring countries can come to our dormitory in East Jakarta for their training, but our athletes can only compete among themselves because we don't have any athletes abroad," he said. Vietnamese athletes had a one-month stint in Jakarta and Bali in May, Singapore sent its athletes to a two-week training session in West Java, Jakarta and Bali in June while athletes from Brunei Darussalam also had two weeks of training in East Java.

Oyong said six countries competing in the SEA Games were preparing for the event by hiring Indonesian pencak silat coaches. "Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and host Brunei are hiring our coaches. I think they will improve soon," he said.

Opinion
But Indonesia's Haris Nugroho has a different opinion. "By having other countries practicing here, we can see their real strength. Some of the athletes from these countries are practicing in different weight categories but we didn't give them a full fight," he said.

"It's not good if Indonesian athletes are too dominant in pencak silat. If we have equal rivals, it will give us new challenges," said Haris, who competes in the 65 to 70 kilograms division. Haris said he must be wary of Singaporean Abdul Kadir in this division.

"I met him during the training here last month and I know that he wants to avenge his 1997 SEA Games defeat here," said the 1997 SEA Games gold medalist, adding that he was well prepared to compete in the biennial event. In the SEA Games from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15, pencak silat will feature two divisions of fighting and arts.

Fighting is divided into 10 weight categories: A (45-50kgs), B (50-55kgs), C (55-60kgs), D (60-65kgs), E (65-70kgs), F (70-75kgs), G (75-80kgs), H (80-85kgs), I (85-90kgs) and J (90-95kgs). The arts are divided into men's and women's wiragana (single), men's and women's wirasangga (doubles) and men's and women's wiraloka (team).

Choreography
In the arts events, athletes are judged on their fighting choreography using one or two weapons. Athletes are allowed to choose from a sickle, dagger, bolo knife, sword, toya (a long stick), trident, whip and lancor (traditional Madurese spear).

"It's not easy to compete in the arts events because we must totally concentrate on our performance to avoid being hurt by the weapons," arts specialist Heni Marhendrawati said. IPSI deputy of athlete development Puji Handoko said he arranged to have athletes focus on individual training.

"Athletes' training programs were based on each individual's strengths and weaknesses. The programs also include work on their mental preparation," he said. National athletes were involved in domestic training in Yogyakarta and Bali last month. "Generally, the results of the training were satisfying but we are still working on athletes' weaknesses, particularly their speed," he said.

Team members
Men: Abas Akbar, Abdul Rochim, Agus L, Cecep Aziiz Ramdhani, Eko Wahyudi, Hans Luther Manam, Haris Nugroho, Hendro Wardoyo, Jeje Nursabah, Joko Suprihatno, Nur Iskak Al Jufri, Rony Syaifullah, Samuel Mallo, Sukma Satria, Torikul Anwar Women: Alfana, Heni Marhendrawati, Hermy Setya Wati, Marniati Siregar, Ni Made Suparmi, Ni Made Wahyuni, Permata Kemalasari, Rina Dwi Astuti, Siti Dwi Astuti, Siti Sudiharti, Widya Astuti

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55259588/pencak-silat-upbeat-seag.html

Indonesian debutants want SEA Games gold

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian pendekar (fighters) Heny Marhendrawati and Widya Astuti will make their international debut at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

As newcomers, they have the burden of upholding Indonesia's dominance in its traditional sport of pencak silat at the biennial event. "We were surprised when we were called to join the national training program for the SEA Games. But we are proud to do so. We'll do our best to win gold as our seniors did," said Heny, who was born in Surabaya on April 8, 1978.

Heny and partner Widya, born in Surabaya on Sept. 22, 1978, will compete in the women's wirasangga (doubles arts event) at the Games. They will display their fighting choreography using two sickles and a knife.

"We are working hard to improve our choreography. In arts, you must totally concentrate on the performance because you are using real weapons. My right leg was hurt twice by Heny's sickle during practice because of my lack of concentration," Widya said while showing her wounds.

Both athletes joined the national training program on June 14 after several tough selection tournaments in their hometown. They have managed to overcome their homesickness during the training and concentrate on their preparations for the Games. Heny and Widya competed with Pamur in their hometown of Surabaya.

With three of their teammates, they won the women's wiraloka (team event) gold medal at the 1997 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. They also won the gold in the team event at the 1997 Nusantara Silat Festival in Trengganu, Malaysia. Heny, who is about 15 centimeters taller than Widya, expressed hope that they could have a match to evaluate the progress of their training.

"We still have no idea where our weaknesses lie. Of course, our coach has told us but that's not good enough," Heny said, adding that she knew nothing about the strengths of her rivals. Both Heny and Widya named Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Games host Brunei as their toughest rivals.

Heny began studying pencak silat in 1994 with her two older brothers.

"I just wanted to learn it. I never thought I would turn into an athlete," said the youngest of Soeharto and Rusmidah's 10 children. Widya was born into a family of pencak silat athletes. Her grandfather was a pendekar with the Bajing Loncat club in Pamekasan, Madura.

"It runs in the family. All family members learn pencak silat, but I am the only one who is serious in the sport," said the third child of Choidi Djajoes and Ariati. Neither Heny or Widya intend to switch to the fighting events. "We love the pencak silat arts. We will continue partnering until we are unable to compete," Heny said.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55259587/indonesian-debutants-want-sea.html

14 July 1999

Brunei hope for more silat medals

Silat is one sports that officials in Brunei Darussalam believe would contribute a lot of medals to the Brunei team at the 20th SEA Games. Over the past few appearances, silat had been the mainstay of Brunei's outing in the biennial Games.

Brunei acquired its first SEA Games gold medal from the Malay traditional martial art-turn-international sports event in 1987 in Jakarta through the skills of Awg Zabidi Ali.

In 1993, Dyg Umikalsum, another silat exponent, brought further glory to Brunei with another gold from the Singapore SEA Games.

Brunei silat participants in the previous SEA Games also typically came home with a handful of silvers and bronzes.

Currently, 27 exponents, under the watchful eyes of coach Awg Hassan bin Hj Tuah, are undergoing intensive training to prepare for the up-coming SEA Games.

According to sources, the training involves improving the exponents' physical and mental fitness, and enhancing their stamina.

The training programme also include participation in competitions locally and overseas, which included a recent 10 days spell in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Brunei invited the Vietnam and Sarawak silat teams over for the Brunei Open not so long ago, and came up top of the table with seven gold medals. So, the potential for the Brunei silat team to do well in the 20th SEA Games is there; it is all a matter now of turning that potential into reality.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55222938/sports-brunei-hope-more.html

09 June 1999

Brunei silat team ready for battle

The Brunei Pencak Silat team is now undergoing intensive training under the guidance of two Indonesian coaches, Sutjipto and Mohd Nasri. The two coaches have been training the team for the past three months and according to them, the team has made excellent progress.

For the past three months, Sutjipto has been training 12 members of the team under the Arts category. The category consists of three events - the men and women solo or Wiraganna, the men and women duel or Wirasangga and the men and women kata or Wiralokka Jurus Wajib.

Mohd Nasri has been training another 20 members of the team under the Athletics category. This consists of 15 events. According to the two coaches the team is now ever ready to take on the best from the Asean region.

Recently, the team participated in a friendly match against Pengda Ipsi Jawa Timur, one of Indonesia's finest teams, in Surabaya. The friendly match was one of the try-outs for the team in their preparation for the upcoming SEA Games in August.

According to the coaches, the Brunei team made quite an impact in Surabaya. Although the team did not fare quite well in the Athletics category, the team managed to upset the opposition in the Arts category.

The Brunei team gained first place in the men's Wiraganna (solo) category and in the women's Wirasangga (duel) category. The women's Wiralokka Jurus Wajib (kata) category also gave the opposition a run for their money.

According to Sutjipto, the women's Wiralokka was recently introduced to the Brunei team and they have yet to learn. "The women's team is progressing rapidly and are more than eager to learn the event."

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-54850253/sports-brunei-silat-team.html

17 April 1999

World community interested on pencak silat

Medan, April 17 (ANTARA) - Pencak silat, Indonesia's traditional self-defence sport, is drawing wide attention among the world community, chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) Edi M. Nalapraya said here Friday night.

Edi said pencak silat was not only recognized in Indonesia but also in Australia and several European countries like the Netherlands and Germany.

"This condition poses a challenge to the Indonesian people , namely how to preserve and develop this sport," said Edi after attending a ceremony marking the installation of the executive board of IPSI's North Sumatera branch.

He said IPSI was making efforts to have pencak silat accepted as an event in the Asian Games.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-54733593/indonesia-world-community-interested.html