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

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