Silat masters receive doctorates in martial arts

Datuk Sri Wan Abdul Wahid presenting the Hall of Fame award to Eddie M. Nalapraya, former president of PERSILAT.

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 MAY 2011 – A group of Malaysian martial arts masters here today made history by organising the first Martial Arts Convention & Convocation, where the knowledge and continuous efforts of martial arts grandmasters were recognised with the conferment of a doctorate.

The grand celebration held at the Toh Puan Norashikin Hall, Darul Puteri Complex in Cheras here was organised by the Malaysian Martial Arts Grand Masters’ Association (MAGMA) and the MAGMA Martial Arts Academy, Asia Pacific Open University and was attended by martial arts practitioners to pay homage to the sacrifices of their teachers in spreading their knowledge to the masses.

The event was officiated by Minister In The Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Haji Ahmad bin Haji Maslan. He commended MAGMA’s efforts to raise the status of martial arts in Malaysia to a more academic station.

“This convocation proves that the martial arts, especially silat is now recognised and will continue to be preserved. I hope that all MAGMA members will continue to safeguard and build upon the knowledge and discipline of their respective schools in unison by organising such events on an annual basis. May Malaysia be recognised as the best destination for all martial arts practitioners worldwide,” he said in his offication speech.

A total of 20 doctorate graduates in the martial arts and 4 doctorate graduates in complementary medicine accepted their scrolls witnessed by students and members of their schools. Additionally, there were 14 masters’ graduates, 6 bachelor graduates and 9 diploma graduates, all in the martial arts.

Among the doctorate graduates were: mahaguru Raja Aziz Raja Ali, founder of Silat Kegayungan Acheh Helang Putih, grandmaster Tan Ghee Lip, founder of Free-Style Martial Arts Self-Defence, mahaguru Dahlan Karim, founder of Silat Setiabakti, sensei Ramlan Ahmed from Aikido Shudokan, sifu Alex Loh Oon Teik from Goh Chor Kung Fu, mahaguru Mohammed Hashim Mohammed Salleh, founder of Silat Lian Padukan, and master Shuhaizy Saad, founder of Stealth Taekwondo.

To qualify for the MAGMA educational programs, candidates need to be involved in a martial art school for a certain period and attend MAGMA organised courses in addition to preparing a thesis paper on their research into the martial arts. Only the highest ranking and experinces teachers in a school are allowed to apply for the doctorate program.

Among the exciting events of the day included the theses presentations by the doctorate graduates in the form of practical demonstrations and explanations about their martial art schools.

Besides that, the audience was also surprised by the conferral of the highest appreciation award to Eddie M. Nalapraya, former President of the International Silat Federation (PERSILAT), for his efforts in helping promote silat around the world.

According to MAGMA President, Datuk Haji Baharom bin Haji Kamari, who is also a doctorate graduate, “MAGMA was founded to raise the status of martial arts masters to a higher station. This approach is the most effective and is the best vehicle to propel MAGMA to greater heights in making that happen,” he said. He also launched the MAGMA Martial Arts Academy which will soon be the primary motivator in producing new graduates in the martial arts.

Dr Zam@Ab Razak Zamri, Chief Executive Officer of the MAGMA Martial Arts Academy, Asia Pacific Open University reminded graduates that as martial arts practitioners, they have a heavy responsibility in educating the future generation of Malaysia.

“Commit yourselves to honesty, trust and sincerity in carrying out the responsibilities that have been entrusted to all of you,” he advised.

The theses produced by the graduates will be archived to enable and enhance local documentation into the martial arts. This first batch of graduates will tour the country within the next year to conduct courses and train the next group of candidates under the banner of the academy.

About MAGMA
MAGMA or the Malaysian Martial Arts Grand Masters’ Association is an associative body of martial arts instructors from all over Malaysia. MAGMA has a membership spanning 45 martial styles with a membership totaling 500,000 people. Under the banner of the MAGMA Martial Arts Academy, Asia Pacific Open University, MAGMA has launched Diploma, Bachelor’s, Masters’ and Doctorate programs in martial arts, encompassing self-defence, culture, arts, sports, self-development, medicine and many more.

Terengganu Win Boys' Category Of Tawau International Silat

TAWAU, May 18  -- Terengganu emerged the winner in the Creative Combat Class in the Boys' Category of the Tawau International Invitational Nusantara Silat Festival 2011 here Tuesday night.

They garnered 219 points to beat seven other teams at the Tawau Community Hall.

Kuala Lumpur, with 212 points, were the runner-up while Singapore, also with 212 points, were placed third.

Kuala Lumpur pipped Singapore in terms of presentation technique.

In the Creative Combat Class in the Girls' Category, Singapore A emerged the winner with 207 points, beating Terengganu to second place on 206 points. Only two teams took part in this category.

In the boys' category of the competition for institutions of higher learning, Ungku Omar Polytechnic collected 209 points to become the winner. The runner-up was the National Defence University (182 points) and third, the Tawau Community College (177).

In the Girls' Category, the winner was Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (185) and runner-up, the Tawau Community College (183).

Sourced from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=587142

World's Biggest Silat Court To Be Build In Melaka - Pesaka

TAWAU, May 16 -- Melaka are expected to build the biggest silat 'court' in the world soon according Malaysian Silat Federation (Pesaka) president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.

Mohd Ali who is also the Melaka Chief Minister said the venue, to be named 'Gerbang Persilatan Melayu Sedunia' would be build at the Hang Tuah Village at a cost of RM37 million.

He added that once completed in about 24 months, the court will have a capacity of 5,000 seats.

"This will certainly be a big boost to the sport of silat and Pesaka is eager to show how committed we are towards enhancing the status of silat," he told reporters after opening the Nusantara Silat Festival and International Invitation 2011 here Monday.

The Festival that started today will feature 250 silat exponents representing 18 teams, including from Singapore.

Sourced from http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=586762

Vietnam brilliant wins in first Asian Pencak Silat contest

After six days competing for the championship titles of 135 athletes from eleven Asian countries, the competition ended last month, in Bedok Sports Hall in Singapore. There are many countries, namely Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, which are strong at Pencak Silat, entered the competition. 31 members of Vietnam team took part in this event.

Vietnam got two gold medals at Seni (performance): Nguyen Thi Thuy in singles title and Nguyen Thi Quyen – Nguyen Thi Thuy – Pham Thi Ha in team title.

Meanwhile, nine gold medals went to Vietnam at Tanding (fighting): six of them belongs to male athletes, namely Le Cong Nghiep (50kg), Tran Van Toan (65kg), Le Ngoc Tan (70kg), Truong Van Mao (80kg), Le Sy Kien (85kg), Le Dang Minh (90kg), and the other three for female athletes, namely Nguyen Huong Xuan (50kg), Nguyen Thi Yen (65kg) and Tran Thi Luyen (75kg).

There were two athletes from HCMC competing in this tournament, that is, Tran Huynh Thanh Quoc (95kg) got a silver medal in the male category and Tran Thuy Minh Ly (70kg) received a bronze medal in the female category.

Totally, with 11 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals picked up, Vietnam became the continental champion of this year competition. The second place went to the host country Singapore. Indonesia, the cradle of this martial art, stood at the third place.

Sourced from http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Sport/2011/5/92262/

Training to fight with the tactics of the tiger

It was my expertise as a lawyer which led to my passion for Pencak Silat, one of the true martial arts originating from Malaysia and Indonesia.

My uncle, Guru Paul Deans, who has practised martial arts for 30 years, asked me to research some legal aspects of self-defence as he was holding a self-defence course for women.

I watched one of the sessions and, at the end, there was a demonstration of Pencak Silat, which has several differing, and disputed meanings but which may translate as “to train for the fight”.

It seemed fascinating, so I took it up and have been doing it ever since, attending twice-weekly classes at The Yorkshire Silat Academy, in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, where my uncle teaches. I am one of two women in an average class of about 15.

Our style of Pencak Silat can be traced back to Indonesia in 1610 where it developed as an outdoor, ground-based fighting system used to train the Indonesian army.

It employs a series of moves, postures, hand-strikes, multiple hits and kicks to enable people to attack from the ground.

It also involves stalking movements and we sometimes use talon-shaped training blades, called Kerambits, as well as sticks or a staff as weapons.

The Yorkshire Silat Academy is the only one in Yorkshire to teach the style of Silat we practise.

This is known as Lumpat Harimau Minangkabau Silat, which translates as “leaping tiger silat”.

Minangkabau refers to the area of Sumatra, Indonesia, where it was founded.

We now also have a class for children aged from about three to 13, when they have the option to join the adult classes.

The oldest students are in their 50s and, as silat is so adaptable and versatile, it works well for them, too.

Lumpat Harimau Minangkabau Silat, which was introduced to the UK by my uncle’s teacher, Guru Richard De Bordes, 30 years ago, is fast and flowing with the practitioner or defender attacking from upright positions then perhaps dropping to fight from the ground with movements and tactics which mirror the tiger.

There is a spiritual side which involves breathing techniques and helps harmonise mind and body and promotes mental strength.

Sourced from http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/people-and-careers/my_passion_with_emma_major_training_to_fight_with_the_tactics_of_the_tiger_1_3341696