20 January 2010

"Girls Can’t and Shouldn’t Do Martial Arts": Sulaiman Sharif Explodes Gender Myth in "50 Martial Arts Myths"

New York, NY (Vocus/PRWEB) January 20, 2010 -- While many parents still persist in the belief that martial arts are for boys, the truth is that girls are actually better students than boys. So says Seni Gayong Black Warrior Sulaiman Sharif in his surprising new book, “50 Martial Arts Myths.”

The 220-page, softcover book – which can be purchased from Amazon – is now available to libraries and bookstores via Ingram and Baker & Taylor.“50 Martial Arts Myths” debunks common misconceptions about the world’s fighting systems.

In fact, if it weren’t for the social pressures that drive many girls away from martial arts during puberty, we would see many, many more female martial arts masters. “According to stories handed down over generations, Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art practiced by movie legend Bruce Lee, among others, was named after a young woman named Wing Chun, who in turn learned the martial art from another woman, a nun named Ng Moy,” explains Sulaiman, the highest-ranking black belt in the Malay Warrior Art of Seni Gayong Int. USA. “This is just one example of the long association of girls and women with the martial arts.

“My experience as a teacher, and a teacher of teachers, has shown me that girls are generally more willing to learn martial arts the right way than boys -- and less likely to take shortcuts that focus on how to ‘beat people up,’” Sulaiman says. “In fact, if it weren’t for the social pressures that drive many girls away from martial arts during puberty, we would see many, many more female martial arts masters.”

From the secrets of the Shaolin Temple to the tales of unstoppable one-touch death moves, myths and misconceptions about the martial arts have been perpetuated for centuries -- and proliferate today on Internet forums, among Ultimate Fighting Championship fans, and even at children’s karate classes. “50 Martial Arts Myths” separates fact from fiction and reveals the true story of disciplined fighting skills.

Sulaiman is an expert to whom the world’s leading martial arts teachers turn when they seek guidance. A teacher’s instructor, he was personally selected by Silat Gayong’s founder, the late Dato’ Meor Abdul Rahman, to propagate the fighting system around the world. He taught in Europe and the United States for two decades before returning to Malaysia after founding Gayong International USA, which he leads today. His 45 years of experience in the martial arts have allowed him to teach Silat Seni Gayong to martial artists from dozens of disciplines including krav maga, kung fu, tae kwon do and karate.

Published by New Media Entertainment, Ltd., “50 Martial Arts Myths” is available for $29.95 via Amazon, and to libraries and bookstores via Ingram and Baker & Taylor.

Sourced from http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/01/prweb3482294.htm

05 January 2010

Former Athlete Dies in Bali Brawl

DENPASAR, Indonesia. Former national pencak silat athlete I Gede Arya Heru Wibawa died after being stabbed in the chest during a fight outside a Denpasar karaoke bar over the weekend.

Police have arrested I Wayan Darta in connection with the death.

According to police, the fight occurred at 11 p.m. on Sunday outside the Mirama Karaoke bar in the Bali capital.

Denpasar Police Chief Sr. Comr. Gede Alit Widana said on Tuesday that the suspect and his son, I Made Suastika, 21, went to a cafe in Renon, Denpasar, at about 9 p.m. on Sunday night.

“But the power was out at the cafe, so Darta and his son then went to Mirama Karaoke,” Widana said.

The officer said the two drank numerous beers, and that Suastika became involved in a scuffle with another customer.

Wibawa reportedly attempted to separate the two only to become involved in a pushing match with Suastika, which continued outside the bar.

Witnesses told police that when Suastika was pushed to the ground, Darta drew a sickle and machete, and stabbed Wibawa in the chest.

Onlookers rushed the former national athlete to Sanglah Hospital, but he died en route.

Widana said the suspect told officers that he always carried sharp weapons hidden on his body.

“Ever since I Wayan Darta was in a fight and almost killed [years ago], he always carried sharp weapons. He didn’t leave home without them,” Widana said.

The officer said that the suspect told police he would hide sharp weapons, including sickles, knives and machetes, under his clothes whenever he left his house.

Suastika, according to Widana, was also in the habit of carrying sharp weapons for protection.

Sourced from http://thejakartaglobe.com/news/former-athlete-dies-in-bali-brawl/351010