Rosmah Launches International Silat Championship 2012

MELAKA, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor launched the inaugural International Silat Championship 2012 at Dewan Tun Ali in Bukit Katil here Friday night.

In her speech, the prime minister's wife said, through the practice of the art of 'silat', the community could acquire inner strength, learn to be self-disciplined and possess a strong sense of loyalty and love for the country.

"What is interesting about silat is that it is not only practised among the Malay heroes, but also among heroines; women can gain from it as well," she said.

Rosmah cited Tun Fatimah, who was well-known for her silat skills, with which she helped Melaka win the fight against the Portuguese in the 16th century.

"This showed that women had long been associated with silat. We also should be proud that silat has been a competitive event at the Southeast Asian Games since 1979, and displayed at the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea in 2002," she said.

More than 350 participants and officials from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia will take part in the three-day championship organised by the Malaysian National Silat Federation.

Sourced from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsindex.php?id=709552

Early boost to AUG hopes

With less than four months to go to the Laos Asean University Games (AUG), Malaysian silat exponents sent a clear warning to their rivals when they dominated proceedings on the final day of competition to clinch the overall champions title at the Deputy Prime Minister's International Pencak Silat Cup at the Square One Mall in Batu Pahat yesterday.

Malaysia emerged the overall champions at the Deputy Prime Minister’s International Pencak Silat Cup in Batu Pahat yesterday.

Malaysia emerged champions of the international category with a haul of 14 gold, three silver and five bronze medals with Singapore second with 5-9-3 and Vietnam third (2-3-2).

Malaysia team manager Azli Buddin said he was delighted with the victory, which he considered a huge boost for the exponents ahead of the AUG.

"This victory is the result of all the hard work and systematic planning our exponents and coaches have put in since the beginning of the year," said Azli, who is also the tournament director.

"We, however, cannot afford to rest on our laurels and will keep working hard in preparation for the Games."

Azli, who is also the Malaysian AUG silat team manager, said a number of talented new exponents had been identified from the tournament and have been shortlisted for the 28-member AUG squad.

The Malaysian team at the Pencak Silat Cup were represented by exponents from the Malaysian Universities Silat Focus Centre based in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn' s Johor campus.

"Quite a number of the exponents from our local category impressed us during the tournament and we will likely include at least three in the AUG squad."

Malaysia's Mohd Faizul Nasir and Siti Zubaidah Che Omar were picked as the top man and woman exponent respectively in the international category respectively.

Meanwhile, the local universities category saw Universiti Teknologi Mara emerge overall champions with eight gold, one silver and three bronze. Second were Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (4-2-4) with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (3-3-2) third.

Sourced from: http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/silat-early-boost-to-aug-hopes-1.147319

Last chance for hopefuls

Deputy Prime Minister’s International Pencak Silat Cup deputy chairman Prof Dr. Amir Hashim Mohd Kassim (centre), tournament director Azli Puddin (left) and Ministry of Higher Education Sports Department representative Tony Azman Hassan admiring the tournament trophy recently. Bernama pic 1 / 1 Malaysian AUG silat team manager Azli Puddin said 28 places on the team for Laos are up for grabs with the Pencak Silat Cup, to be held at the Square One Mall in Batu Pahat, being the final selection before the panel of national coaches finalises the squad.

COMPETITION for places on the national team heading to the Laos Asean University Games (AUG) is expected to climax when the Deputy Prime Minister's International Pencak Silat Cup moves into the business end of the tournament starting today.

The tournament, which has drawn over 600 entries from 11 countries and started with the preliminary rounds on Wednesday, moves into the knockout stages today. The competition ends tomorrow.

"We have done several rounds of selection including at the Malaysia Games, National Championships and also the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Masum) Championships," said Azli, who is also the Pencak Silat Cup tournament director.

"We have a rough idea which exponents we will bring to the AUG. However, we are using this tournament to give those hoping to represent Malaysia in Laos a last chance to impress. This tournament provides students from every institution of higher learning the opportunity to show off their skills whether they are from public, private universities or polytechnics.

"We will convene for a selection panel meeting to discuss our choices when the tournament ends and announce the final 28-man squad within a week."

Azli added that the Pencak Silat Cup, organised by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and the Higher Education Ministry with support from the Malaysian National Silat Federation (PESAKA), also provides the opportunity for Malaysian exponents to gauge their level of preparation before the AUG on Dec 12-22.

As one of the eight major university championships organised by the Higher Education Ministry annually, winners at the Pencak Silat Cup will also be contributing to their universities medal tallies at the Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning Games (SUKIPT) which will held next month.

Written by Fadhli Ishak
Sourced from: http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/silat-last-chance-for-hopefuls-1.146508#ixzz274aWMmBG

PENCAK SILAT: Making sound progress on two fronts

The Ministry of Higher Education's efforts to develop pencak silat both as a sport and a relevant industry have found some success.

With the Deputy Prime Minister's Cup International Pencak Silat Tournament in Batu Pahat, Johor on Sept 17-22 set to feature 600 exponents, including 80 representatives from foreign institutes of higher learning, that success will be further established. This will be the third edition of the tournament that was first held in Kulai, Johor in 2010, followed by the second at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur last year. Tun Hussein Onn University Malaysia (UTHM) deputy vice chancellor of student affairs Professor Dr Amir Hisham Mohd Kassim said the growth is particularly seen in the increase in interest from foreign university students.

"While we began with foreign participation from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, this time the number of countries participating will see a significant increase, adding to the prestige of the international category contested in the tournament," said Dr Amir Hisham.

This year's tournament, which will see 44 gold medals contested, will also welcome participation from Brunei, Laos, The Philippines, Belgium and the Netherlands. "We have also made significant progress in promoting the Malay version of silat actively to foreign students attending local universities," said Dr Amir Hisham. "Foreign students have also been given the chance to deepen their knowledge of silat, through placements with traditional silat schools in rural areas."

With 520 Malaysian students competing, the event will also feature medals for top ranked local exponents, while the international category will also see the host contingent defending the overall title they won last year after losing out to Singapore in 2010.

There will also be a category for Malaysia-based foreign students. The gold medals in the Malaysian category will also count towards the medal tally of the Institutes of Higher Learning Games in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 28-Nov 11.

Sourced from http://www.nst.com.my/nation/politics/pencak-silat-making-sound-progress-on-two-fronts-1.142522#ixzz26DvrXaPh

Rina defies doctor’s orders to regain national title

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world champion Rina Jordana took her rightful place as the queen of silat olahraga after defying the doctor’s orders to regain her national title at the 16th National Silat Championships at the KLBA Stadium in Cheras.

The 32-year-old Rina last won the national title in 2006 before quitting in 2007 – the same year she was crowned world champion – due to work commitments.

Although she did not have high hopes prior to the tournament, Rina was a cut above her rivals and dominated Kedah’s Nur Adilah Abdul Hamid in the final of the women’s Class B (50-55kg).

The five judges scored 17-9, 13-8, 15-4, 14-9, 17-12 in her favour despite Rina fighting with a broken toe.

“I honestly did not expect to win here because I have not been training regularly,” said Rina, who has also represented Malaysia in futsal.

“I’ve been playing more futsal of late but silat remains my first love. That’s why I decided to compete in the national championship.

“Unfortunately, I had to change my style in the semi-final and final and I couldn’t go on the attack because of the injury and it was my experience which helped me overcome my opponents.

“I am not sure if I will return to the national team but if I am given a chance I will give it a shot,” added Rina, who won a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games when silat was a demonstration sport.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nur Jannah Alias was a big winner after walking away with three gold medals in the silat seni category.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/4/29/sports/11199229&sec=sports

2 until 7 June 2011 National Junior Silat Championship at Melaka

Over 400 pesilat from around the country expect to attend the National Junior Silat Championship-9 at Mini Stadium, organized in Ayer Keroh here, at 2 to 7 June.

President of the National Silat Federation of Malaysia (Estate), Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the six-day championship will have 18 such categories and Jutsu Silat Tunggal.

"Championships are a vital field for the Estate pesilat young talent from around the country to be trained to be able to pesilat did the country some day," he told reporters after chairing the Exco meeting Estate in Ayer Keroh yesterday.

He is also Chief Minister said, the Estate now has four million members under the auspices of 372 universities across the country and they are important assets to bring martial arts into a new era.

2,083 Students Competed in Pencak Silat Championship

A championship of pencak silat (Indonesia traditional martial art) is opened today (2/27) by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo. In this event, as much as 2,083 students of junior high school (SMP), Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs) Islamic school, senior high school (SMA), and vocational school (SMK) from all over Jakarta will be competed in 2,015 matches. The championship itself is held by Jakarta Education Department and took place at Padepokan Pencak Silat Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, until Saturday (3/3).

According to Fauzi, pencak silat is one of nation’s cultural heritages. Therefore, it must be preserved. And one of the ways to preserve it is by holding championship like this. “Jakarta Provincial Government very much supports this competition. Because, it has strategic values as mentioned in the competition theme, which is pencak silat as means in creating Indonesia students and generations with characteristic, sportive attitude, and tough,” he stated, Monday (2/27).

Moreover he mentions that pencak silat for Betawi people is an effective means to create strong soul and tough mental. Therefore, he asks the students in this championship not to give up easily and must improve their martial art skill as well as respect their opponents by upholding sportsmanship.

“I’m happy that pencak silat championship is continuously being held. I was once led Jakarta Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI). Nowadays, pencak silat training is very amazing. Surely I hope this cultural heritage would be continuously preserved. Continuous training is needed, like this competition. And for the future I hope that Jakarta students can join the National Sports Week (PON), National Students Sports Week (Popnas), and Regional Sports Week (Popwil) and come out as the overall winner,” expressed Fauzi.

Head of Jakarta Education Department Taufik Yudi Mulyanto told the 2,083 students in this championship are consist of 1,250 SMP/MTs students and 833 SMA/SMK students from 328 schools in Jakarta. “This championship aims for further training and development from extracurricular activity in school as well as to channel student’s talent and interest in martial art, beside to preserve nation character’s values through pencak silat. In addition, this championship is also to prepare candidate athletes for the 2012 Popwil event,” he explained.

Sourced from http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=22512

PESAKA banks on Sea Games squad

THE Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) is banking on its Sea Games gold medallists to deliver the goods at the inaugural Sydney Open Championships on Jan 23-30.

Pesaka coordinator Osman Nok said the federation will be sending four athletes to the tournament which is set to feature competitors from 17 nations but will, however, be without two big names in the sport-- Thailand and Indonesia.

Jakarta Sea Games gold medal winning trio Ahmad Sharil Zailudin, Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari, Mohd Fauzi Khalid and silver medallist Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir are the four athletes going to Australia.

"The four of them are only returning to centralised training today (yesterday) since we broke camp after the Sea Games but we do not expect that to be a problem as they are at a good level of fitness, having trained by themselves at state level," said Osman.

"We are confident of winning three gold medals at the event but do not expect things to be easy despite Indonesia and Thailand not competing.

"Vietnam will be our biggest rivals there but we expect the competition from Middle Eastern countries to be stiff as well.

"Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also can't be ruled as we have seen them compete in the past and they have shown tremendous power, stamina and fighting spirit.

"We are not sure what they will bring to the table this year but we will not be taking them lightly as they are a definitely a threat to any team."

The tournament serves as part of the national exponents preparation for the Southeast Asian championships in Vietnam this July.

Written by FADHLI ISHAK
Sourced from http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/silat-pesaka-banks-on-sea-games-squad-1.30215

'I was wrong, but I didn't kelong'

On his Facebook wall reads an ominous prayer, posted in malay, a week prior to the recent South-east Asia (SEA) Games, asking God to "shelter him from ridicule, criticism and dissatisfaction from the silat community".

Was it a sign of nerves before his refereeing assignment in Jakarta or was it a premonition of things to come?

Jasni Salam's worst fears were realised two Thursdays ago when one of the most bizarre sequence of events in the sport unfolded in the Class A 45-50kg final on Nov 17.

In a 51-second YouTube video that has attracted 352,000 views, Indonesian exponent Dian Kristanto employed unorthodox methods such as running around the competition arena, biting his opponent on the shoulder and hiding behind Jasni en route to beating Thailand's Anothai Choopeng 5-0 for the gold medal.

Jasni, a 52-year-old with over 20 years of refereeing experience, came under fire for his shambolic handling of the final and Singapore Silat Federation (PERSISI) chief executive Sheik Alauddin even went as far as calling him a "moron".

Efforts to contact Jasni had proved unsuccessful since his return from Indonesia.

When The New Paper finally tracked him down yesterday, he maintained his innocence when asked point-blank if he was under any influence to swing the match Indonesia's way.

"My conscience is clear... I made some poor refereeing decisions in the final, but there was no kelong," said the former national coach, who is an International Class One referee - the highest standard attainable - and was one of two Singaporean referees sent to the SEA Games by PERSISI.

"The Indonesian supporters were absolute fanatics, but I tried my best to be as fair as possible. No-one approached me to influence the game unfairly.

"I am clean. Before anyone accuses me of being corrupt, please show me the evidence."

In the two-hour long interview with TNP at the Eunos Community Club yesterday, he admitted that he turned in a poor performance.

So what were the "poor refereeing decisions" which he made?

Jasni said: "I reviewed the video of the entire fight with PERSISI on Friday and I realised I made a mistake when I failed to penalise the Indonesian after he committed a similar offence (of leaving the arena) for the third time."

In pencak silat, exponents must display proper technique as they mount an attack or defence and they are not allowed to run amok.

The referee is supposed to issue a warning when he thinks proper technique is not employed or if there's an infringement.

The third warning in each round would result in a one-point deduction, and the subsequent caution represents a two-point penalty. However, the foul counters are reset after each round.

Defending himself, Jasni said: "There were so many people who could have corrected my mistake, but nobody did.

"Unlike in football, the referee's decision is not final. In silat, it is not just the referee who officiates the fight. In fact, the referee doesn't award points, the five jury members seated around the arena do.

"Silat referees only indicate to the jury when there should be a point deducted for breaking the rules. The only case where he awards points is when there is a take down, which is worth three points.

"There were also the head of competition (from Malaysia), three members in the referees' council (from Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam), as well as the international technical delegate (from Indonesia) and his assistant (from Singapore). Why didn't they do anything?"

Sources told TNP, however, that the referee council did highlight to Jasni his failure to award a penalty point to Dian, but the Singaporean did not heed their advice, and went on to miss other infringements in the third round.

When told of this, Jasni said: "If I made a mistake, the head of competition or the technical delegates have the right to stop the fight and hold a discussion. "If I was doing so badly, why didn't they substitute me with another referee, which is within their rights to do so?"

Ultimately, the gold went to Indonesia, although Thailand had every reason to feel aggrieved.

Sheik told TNP: "Yes, the Indonesian guy was leading after two rounds, but if you factor in the points deduction, Thailand could have won."

He explained by saying that the points difference awarded by each jury member was very narrow.

So despite the eventual scoreline of 5-0, any deduction for Dian could have swung the match in Thailand's favour.

He added: "The referees' council also activated the buzzer and lights twice to alert Jasni, which he didn't respond to.

"Analysing the video, there were behavioural changes compared to past matches in which Jasni was referee."

Jasni, who was national coach when the sport collected its best SEA Games haul of three gold medals in Brunei in 1999, admitted he had missed the council's attempts to get his attention.

He said: "It was so chaotic and noisy, I didn't see or hear the signal.

"That's also my mistake. But why didn't they persist to get my attention by blowing a whistle or by getting the competition secretary to announce 'referee, referee'?

"This is common practice which they didn't perform."

Jasni was summoned by PERSISI last Friday to explain the chain of events in Jakarta.

PERSISI general secretary Isiah Majid told TNP the matter has been handed over to the disciplinary committee.

Sheik added that if found guilty, the maximum sentence would be a life ban from refereeing silat competitions.

What looked like a dream assignment has turned sour for Jasni, who also works as a housekeeper at a local hotel to make ends meet.

He said: "I can understand how some people can claim that I kelong because they don't know the rules, but I am disappointed by Sheik's comments, calling me a moron.

"I am hurt and depressed because I tried my best and it ended up like this.

"I feel really sorry to my family for putting so much pressure on them. "I may just retire from refereeing and focus on coaching."

Former world silat champion Imran Abdul Rahman was one of those who spoke up for his former coach.

Imran said: "I've watched the video of all three rounds and made calls to people who watched the bout in Indonesia, and I feel justice needs to be done.

"Officiating a silat fight is not just a one-man show. I know it is easy to watch the clip and say that it is fixed, but people need to know the rules before passing judgment.

"I hope he will not quit refereeing, but bounce back to prove he can still do a good job."

Written by DAVID LEE & SAZALI ABD AZIZ
Sourced from http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20111130-313637/3.html

Indonesia Pencak Silat Contingent Came Out as Overall Winners

Indonesia pencak silat contingent finally reached the target to become SEA Games XXVI overall winners. They successfully collected 9 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals.

The runner up is Vietnam with 6 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Whereas Malaysia is on third position with 3 gold, 1 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

The certainty of Indonesia becomes the overall winners for this sport was confirmed after three Indonesian fighters defeated their opponents in the final match at Padepokan Silat Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Thursday (11/17). The last three gold medals were presented by Rosmayani (class C female), Amelia Roring (class E female), and Dian Kristianto (class A male).

All three Indonesian fighter defeated their opponents with same score 5-0 each. Rosmayani represented gold medal after defeated Thailand fighter Jutarat Noytapa, while Amelia won against Malaysia fighter Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nazir and Dian Kristianto defeated Anothai Choopeng from Thailand.

Edhy Wibowo as Indonesia Pencak Silat Team Manager admitted proud with this achievement. He said that training and hard work done by Indonesian athletes are finally resulted. “We are able to reach two targets, namely be the overall winners and collected nine gold medals, although initially we only targeted five gold medals,” he stated, Thursday (11/17).


Sourced from http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=21168

Unshakeable silat exponents deliver three golds

JAKARTA: The Malaysian silat exponents overcame their rivals and the boisterous home fans, to capture three gold medals at the Indonesia Indah Mini Park yesterday.

The gold medals came from the combat events – through Ahmad Shahril Zailudin (men’s Class D 60-65kg), Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari (men’s Class E 65-70kg) and Mohd Fauzi Khalid (men’s Class F 70-75kg).

Shahril delivered the first gold by defeating Indonesia’s Sapto Purnomo 5-0 in the final before Jufferi made sure the team met their two-gold target when he defeated Vietnam’s Nguyen Duy Chien 4-1.

Fauzi then made sure the silat team would surpass the target by adding another gold medal after trouncing Katahat Raksapon of Thailand 5-0.

Malaysia had another finalist on the last day of the silat competition but Siti Rahmah Mohd Nasir could only bag a silver after losing 5-0 to Indonesian’s Amelia Roring in the women’s Class E bout.

Team manager Ismail Syed Mohamed described their efforts as courageous because they also had to put up with the hostile home crowd.

“There was never an easy fight today, especially against the Indonesian exponents,” he said.

“But our athletes stayed calm under pressure and that was the key to their success.”

Ismail also urged his team to be aware of the great strides made by exponents from Vietnam and even the Philippines.

“They are catching up fast,” he said.

“We could have won more gold medals if our top exponents – Emy Latip and Mohd Hafiz Mahari _ had qualified for the finals.

“Overall, it was a good performance.”

Emy lost to Vietnam’s Ngyen Thi Gang in the quarter-final of the women’s Class C (55-60kg) while Hafiz, the gold medallist in Laos two years ago, went down to Thailand’s Anothai Choopeng in the men’s Class A (45-50kg) semi-final bout.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/11/18/seagames/9931432&sec=seagames 

SEA Games: Al Jufferi step away from surprise gold

Al Jufferi Jamari is within striking distance of winning a silat gold medal in his maiden appearance at the Sea Games in Padepokan today.

The 19-year-old exponent from Kuantan is one of four Malaysians contesting the sparring finals today as the sport looks to deliver its targeted two gold medals.

Al Jufferi was not expected to even be in the final and should he win today, it will be a pleasant surprise.

"It's my first time here at the Sea Games and now that I'm in the final, I'm not going to let this golden opportunity slip away.

"It would be the sweetest achievement of my career in silat if I were to win tomorrow (today)," said Al Jufferi, who meets Nguyen Duy Chien of Vietnam in the men's Class E final.

Earlier, he edged Indonesia's I Komong Wahyu 3-2 in the quarter-finals before beating Wattara Thammachut of Thailand 5-0 in the semi-finals.

The other Malaysian exponents attempting for gold are Ahmad Shahril Zailudin (men's Class D), Fauzi Khalid (men's Class F) and Siti Rahmah Nasir, the only Malaysian woman exponent to make a final in Class E.

Malaysia already have six bronze medals in the bag following the semi-finals on Monday.

Sourced from http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sea-games-al-jufferi-step-away-from-surprise-gold-1.7151

Ahmad Sharil Lands First Gold In Silat

JAKARTA, Nov 17 (Bernama) - Ahmad Sharil Zailudin landed Malaysia's first gold in silat in the final day of the silat competition at the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia Thursday.

Competing in the mens D 55-60kg category at Taman Mini Indonesia, Padepokan, East Jakarta, about 50 km from the city centre, Ahmad Shahril, 30, ignored the hostile reception from the home crowd to sent the hosts; Sapto Purnomo packing 5-0.

"It is a good feeling, to be able to win before such hostile fans. I really wanted the 'Negaraku' (national anthem) to be played in this hall," he told Bernama.

It was the former three-time world champion's second gold in the SEA Games. He won the first at the Manila Games in 2005.

The silat contingent also captured three bronze through Mohd Hafiz Mahri in the A 45-50kg category, Noor Farahana Ismail (B 50-55kg) and Mastura Sapuan (D 60-65kg).

Written by AHMAD ERWAN OTHMAN
Sourced from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=627689

Silat hang on to three-gold target, after duo reach last four

JAKARTA - Singapore's pencak silat team captain Shakir Juanda and Saifullah Julaimi gave the squad's sagging spirits a lift after winning their respective quarter-final bouts in the 'I' and 'E' classes yesterday.

The team had a shaky start to the competition with losses in the previous two days, but with the pair advancing and the artistic competition scheduled to start today, the team have not lost hope of meeting their three-gold target.

Things had looked gloomy in the team's quarter-final clashes in the morning, with veteran Saiedah Said ('C' Class) falling to Thailand's Jutarat Noytapa and Nur Zulaikha Zakaria ('D' Class) losing out to Mariati of Indonesia.

But with at least two medals now assured - the losing semi-finalists will share the bronze - team manager Sheik Alau'ddin feels it will spur the team on to do well.

"We hope that Saiedah's loss gives the newcomers a stronger desire to win for Singapore," he told Today.

"Our hopes are now pinned on Saifullah and Shakir."

For Saiedah, it was not how she had expected to mark her fifth and final SEA Games campaign.

Said the 26-year-old: "My target was to qualify for the final for my last shot at SEA Games gold, and this was not the best way for me to end my career."

"Morale was a bit low after the first two days of losses, but our spirit remains strong," added Saiedah, who has two Games bronze medals to her name.

Assistant team manager Sa'adiah Sanuse was rather happy with the whole team's performance so far and feels the artistic competition could possibly give them a further boost to meet their three-gold target.

"Saifullah and Shakir have lifted hopes, and by the end of (today) we'll know if we will be on track for our target," she said.

As for Saiedah, it is the end of her fighting career, but she wants to continue contributing to silat.

She said: "I have dedicated my life to silat and will continue to do so, now focusing on being a coach with the Singapore Silat Federation."

Written by SHAMIR OSMAN
Sourced from http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC111115-0000081/Silat-hang-on-to-three-gold-target,-after-duo-reach-last-four

SEA Games: S'pore win 2 bronze in Silat

Mohd Saifullah Mohd Julaimi (photo: Singapore Sports Council)

Mohd Shakir Juanda (photo: Singapore Sports Council)

INDONESIA: The Singapore men's Silat team won two bronze medals in Jakarta, earlier Tuesday.

Twenty-four-year-old Mohd Saifullah Mohd Julaimi claimed the bronze in the Silat Men's Tanding E event.

He lost in the semi-finals to Vietnam's Nguyen Duy Chien.

His team mate Mohd Shakir Juanda, who competed in the Men's Tanding I category, also won a bronze medal.

This was after his loss to Dang Minh Le of Vietnam.

The Singapore athletes' win gave the sport its first medals at this SEA Games.

Written by NABIL RUSYDI
Sourced from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1165581/1/.html

When silence is golden for silat team

JAKARTA: There are a few things about the silat competition that bothers team manager Ismail Syed Mohamad.

But he will not lodge a formal complaint for fear that the national exponents will receive unfair treatment.

Ismail said he could lodge an official complaint but experience has taught him that it would only do more harm than good to the silat team.

“One of my major grouses is that the organisers are bringing in three judges from countries not competing in the Games,” said Ismail.

“There will be a judge from Japan, Germany and Holland each and this is against the rule.”

The silat competition will start today with the combat events, but Ismail said he had yet to receive the full schedule yesterday.

“We should have the schedule by now, but there is nothing so far. We will all go to the venue tomorrow (today) morning to avoid anyone missing his or her events,” said Ismail.

At the 2007 Korat Games, the Malaysian silat contingent made a formal complaint, which Ismail refused to disclose in detail, with the organisers.

The result, according to Ismail, was that the national team were given unfair treatment.

The silat exponents returned home with no gold medals from the Korat Games.

They only had a silver and six bronze medals to show.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/11/12/seagames/9890553&sec=

Pencak silat medal hopes fade

HA NOI — Changes to the pencak silat event at this year's SEA Games in November could seriously reduce Viet Nam's medal-winning hopes.

Viet Nam are the world champions.

At the Singapore Asian Pencak Silat Championship in April, Viet Nam managed to win 11 gold medals, despite half the team coming down with chronic diarrhoea, while Indonesia grabbed just five.

Indonesia has deleted five weight categories – the men's 80kg, 85kg and 95kg and women's 50kg and 75kg – in which Viet Nam are unrivalled. Indonesia's decision to reduce the number of weight categories is designed to favour the host nation, who have set themselves the target of winning up to 10 golds, which would give them the top podium.

In Jakarta, Viet Nam will compete in all six seni (performance) and 12 in tanding (combat) events. Viet Nam's three main gold medal hopes are Tran Van Toan in the men's 60kg, Nguyen Ba Trinh in the men's 65kg and Tran Thuy Luyen in women's 70kg.

Two years ago in Laos, Viet Nam won six SEA Games golds.

Coach Huynh Ngoc Minh Tien said the team would find it hard to secure this year's target of just three golds.

Viet Nam are also facing the likelihood that a number of their more experienced athletes may retire, while others might have to miss the tournament through injury.

World and SEA Games champions Huynh Thi Thu Hong, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy and Le Thi Hong Ngoan said they wished to spend more time with their families, while Nguyen Thanh Quyen said she wanted to concentrate on her studies.

Meanwhile, Le Ngoc Tan and Vu Thi Thao are unlikely to recover from serious injuries in time for the tournament.

As a result, 15 new members have been called to the national team.

"They are strong rivals with great technique but they lack international competition experience," said Tien, after the team returned from a short training course in Indonesia.

Viet Nam finished the Southeast Asian Pencak Silat Championships in Malaysia in August in second place with seven gold medals.

The pencak silat event will run from November 10-17.

Sourced from http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Sports/217088/Pencak-silat-medal-hopes-fade.html

Fauzi not comfortable with favourite tag in SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Jakarta has been a good hunting ground for silat exponent Mohd Fauzi Khalid.

Last year, the Penangite defied the odds to beat an Indonesian exponent in the final to win the men’s below 75kg category in the World Championships in Jakarta.

The 24-year-old Fauzi will surely start as the favourite when he features in his third SEA Games, based on his achievements this year.

He won gold in all the three competitions he featured in this year – the Asian meet in Singapore (March), Belgium Open (April) and South East Asian meet in Kuala Lumpur (July).

Gold act: Silat exponent Mohd Fauzi Khalid will start as the favourite when he features in his third SEA Games. — S.S.KANESAN/ The Star

Fauzi, however, is not comfortable with the fact that the Malaysian Silat Federation are banking on him to deliver one of the two gold medals targeted for the SEA Games.

“Although Jakarta is a good hunting ground for me, I am already feeling the pressure of having to retain the gold medal in the Games,” said Fauzi, who won a silver in the world meet in Jakarta in 2007.

“I am afraid that I might not live up to expectations as I am not too pleased with my techniques in the combat sport.

“I am in good physical shape but I need to improve on my techniques.

“I also expect strong challenges from exponents from Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.”

At the last SEA Games in Laos two years ago, Malaysia returned with four golds – out of the 12 at stake – and six bronzes.

Although the number of gold medals have been increased to 18 for the Indonesian SEA Games, the MSF have only set a modest target of two golds.

Faizal Abdullah, who won the gold medal in the below 80kg in the Laos Games, will not defend his title because of a knee injury.

The MSF have named 24 exponents – 13 men and 11 women – for the SEA Games. The silat competition is divided into two categories – sparring and demonstration.

The Malaysian squad
Men: Mohd Hafiz Mahari, Mohd Taufek Abdul Latif, Mohd Helmi Abdul Aziz, Ahmad Shahril Zailuddin, Mohd Al-Jufferi Jamari, Mohd Fauzi Khalid, Azrul Abdullah, Mohd Firdaus Sabaruddin, Mohd Faiz Abdul Malek, Mohd Taqiuddin Hamid, Ahmad Tajul Zaman Tajuddin, Hanif Ismail, Mohd Hafiz Mohd Arif.

Women: Noor Farahana Ismail, Emy Latip, Siti Rahmah Moh Nasir, Siti Khadijah Hassan, Matsura Sapuan, Maslinda Zakaria, Kamilah Sulong, Siti Arfiyah Abdul Jalil, Nurnaema Nayan, Nor Afizah Ariffin, Nurul Hidayah Sobri.

Sourced from http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/10/13/sports/9686584&sec=sports

Pencak Silat Orang Asli Student A Rising Star In National Silat Arena

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Deputy Prime Minister's International Pencak Silat Championship Cup which ended on Tuesday, succeeded in proving that the national squad is not barren of new talent.

National back-up squad silat exponent Zaiton A. Koang from Pekan, Pahang, is one case in point.

She might be unknown to sport fans, even the silat fraternity in the country but she has claimed a stake in Malaysian sports and has drawn the attention of the selector after being anointed Best Woman Pesilat for her agility, prowess in the ring.

Prior to that, the Orang Asli-Chinese silat athlete (father Chinese) grabbed the gold medal in the Kelas Puteri A after trouncing Atiq Isnarti Roslan of Singapore, 5-0 in the second edition of the championship which was held at the Berjaya Time Square from Sept 15 to 20.

The national back up squad exponents, most of whom were students of local higher learning institutions (IPTAs), were in a class of their own when they hauled in 12 gold, six silver and three bronze medals to wrest the overall championship from Singapore.

Singapore, the defending champion in the first edition held in Johor last year, picked up eight gold, 10 silver and two bronze medals to finish in second place.

The championships saw participation from 24 IPTAs and several Asean countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.

The 23-year-old student, when met by Bernama recently, said her interest in the combat sport surfaced when she was studying at Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim, Perak several years ago.

"Initially, I only followed friends at the university to learn silat. Subsequently, I was attracted to the uniqueness and advantages of silat," said the student of Special Education who hoped to be absorbed into the national elite squad.

National chief instructor Ahmad Faizal Abu Bakar, when met, also praised her performance during the five-day competition.

Zaiton who is also the Malaysian Universities Sport Council (Masum) silat champion said she would however, leave it to her coach to decide her next move.

"Apart from demonstrating her prowess in the ring, she was also the only non-Malay silat exponent in the national team and we are very proud to have an exponent like her," said the 43-year-old coach.

The coach who had trained the national squad since the past several years, said, although there were several prominent back up silat exponents, the potential in Zaiton was truly evident.

He also did not rule out the possibility of naming Zaiton in the national elite squad if she continued to exhibit encouraging performances at international championships.

Sourced from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=615675

Two in a row for SarawakState retain MSSM crown by capturing four golds, one silver, two bronzes

SECOND STRAIGHT WIN: Zainudin lifts the overall champions trophy as the Sarawak team celebrate their victory in the MSSM Silat Championship at the State Indoor Stadium yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak retained its Malaysian Schools Sports Council Silat Championship crown at the State Indoor Stadium, Petra Jaya yesterday when its exponents captured four gold, one silver and two bronze medals to finish as the overall champions.

The host team won the golds in the Seni Tari Silat (Putera Sekolah Rendah and Puteri Sekolah Rendah, Puteri Sekolah Menengah) and Seni Tempur Silat (Puteri Sekolah Menengah) for their second consecutive victory in the national inter-state schools championship.

Sarawak won its silver medal in the Seni Tempur Silat (Putera Sekolah Rendah) while the bronzes were won in the Seni Tempur Silat (Puteri Sekolah Rendah and Putera Sekolah Rendah).

Apart from that, Sarawak were also overall champions of the Girls category in the Secondary School section.

“I am very happy and proud of our achievement. To defend the crown is no easy task especially that we are up against very strong opposition from Selangor, Johor and Sabah,” said chief coach Wan Zainudin Wan Junaidi.

Sarawak were the overall champions in 2009 in Kuala Lumpur where they captured three golds, one silver and three bronzes.

The championship was supposed to be held last year but was postponed to this year and the Sarawak Education Department was entrusted to host the competition in Kuching.

Wan Zainudin, who teaches at SMK Matang Hilir, attributed the success to the good cooperation and teamwork of all parties, the coaches from Persatuan Rumpun Silat Sarawak, teacher coaches, students and their parents.

The team was managed by Patrick Philip Moss while the assistant coaches were Normazila Yazid and Adzhar Rabu.

“We would like to thank our State Education Department director Abdillah Adam for his support, encouragement and constant reminder that we must try our very best to do the state proud again,” he added.

Meanwhile, Selangor were the overall champions in the Primary Schools Boys after they won the gold in the Seni Tempur Silat and silver in the Seni Tari Silat.

They also collected the Primary Schools Girls overall champions title for winning the gold in the Seni Tempur Silat and the silver in the Seni Tari Silat.

The Boys overall champions of the Secondary Schools were Johor who won the gold in the Seni Tari Silat.

Three hundred and eight-four students from 16 teams took part in the five-day championship that commenced on Sept 19.

Abdillah, who was the organising chairman, closed the event and gave away the prizes to the winners.

Written by TING TIENG HEE
Sourced from http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/24/two-in-a-row-for-sarawakstate-retain-mssm-crown-by-capturing-four-golds-one-silver-two-bronzes/