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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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