Malaysia finish second with seven golds in 13th World Silat Championship

Highly entertaining: The ‘pesilat’ from some countries demonstrating their skills during the opening ceremony of the 13th World Silat Championship at the Sukpa indoor stadium in Kuantan.

Contestants from 25 countries camped in Kuantan to take part in the 13th World Silat Championship held at Sukpa Indoor Stadium here recently.

Vietnam defended its overall champion title for the third time consecutively at the championship.

This time, Vietnam bagged 12 gold, eight silver and four bronze medals, while Malaysia finished second with seven gold, five silver and eight bronze medals and Singapore third with three gold and seven bronze medals.

Indonesia, whichh had been champion 10 times since the championship started in 1982, was fourth with two gold, five silver and eight bronze medals.

Malaysia's seven gold medals were won by Ahmad Shahril Zailuddin (Kelas D Putra), Mohd Azrin Abdul Malek (Bebas Putra), Norhasmizan Abdullah (Kelas E Putra), Malini Mohammad (Kelas C Putri), Rina Jordana Adnan (Kelas A Putri), Mastura Sapuan (Kelas F Putri) and Suzy Mohd Sulaiman (Jurus Tunggal Putri).

The five silver medals were collected in the Kelas J Putra event by Wan Md Husaini Wan Deraman, Kelas F Putra event by Md Fauzi Khalid, the Ganda Putra event by Mohd Hafiz Mohd Ariff and Mohd Helmi Abdul Aziz, the Ganda Putri event by Mas Putih Kabil and Aliza Ali and the Regu Putri event by Rina Jordana Adnan, Norfakieza Md Noor and Alice Bagat.

Pleased to meet you: Tan Mohd Aminuddin being introduced to the Malaysian contingent after he opened the ceremony.

The eight bronze medals were won by Ami Latiff (Kelas D Putri), Siti Mariam Maimunah Abdul Rahman (Kelas E Putri), Azlina Aziz (Bebas Putri), Suhairi Chin (Kelas D Putra), Amir Ikram Rahim (Kelas C Putra), Ahmad Saufi Lubis Shamsuddin (Seni Jurus Tunggal), Marzuki Mokhtar, Mohd Izwan Osman and Mohd Fais Awang (Regu Putra) and Faizan Abdullah (Kelas H Putra).
Malaysia’s Ahmad Shahril Zailuddin was named best “pesilat” for male contestants while the best female “pesilat” title went to Hunyh Thi Thu Hong from Vietnam.

The championship was held in conjunction with the 77th birthday of the Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah.

All smiles: Malaysia’s gold medalists (from left) Siti Mariam, Suzy, Md Fauzi, Mastura and Malini proudly showing their gold medals.

The countries taking part included Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, The Netherlands, The Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Surinam, Switzerland, Thailand, Britain, Vietnam and host Malaysia. The championship was organised by National Silat Federation (Pesaka), the Pahang government and Harian Innovatif Sdn Bhd.

Pahang Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Tan Mohd Aminuddin Tan Ishak represented Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in opening the championship while state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail represented Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob at the closing ceremony.

Story and pictures by Nik Naizi Husin
Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/11/2/southneast/20071102081218&sec=southneast