JAKARTA (JP): Pencak silat is known all over the world as Indonesia's martial art. In international tournaments, Indonesian athletes have always dominated the event. But for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month, Indonesia is tipped to only win eight of 21 golds on offer in the event.
This figure is only half of Indonesia's victory total in the 1997 SEA Games here, where they won 17 of the 20 golds. The other three golds went to Vietnam. Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) chairman Eddy Nalapraya expressed optimism Indonesian athletes would be able to reach the target of eight golds.
"We are still optimistic for all the events, but the skills of the athletes from other Southeast Asian countries are almost equal to our athletes," he said, as quoted by Republika daily. SEA Games chef de mission Mochammad Hindarto has expressed his disappointment with the medal targets of several main sports organizations target, saying the goals were too low.
"It's quite impossible that our pencak silat athletes can only win eight gold medals. I'm sure they can win more," he said. However, IPSI executive director Oyong Kramayudha said Indonesian athletes were having difficulty with their training.
"Neighboring countries can come to our dormitory in East Jakarta for their training, but our athletes can only compete among themselves because we don't have any athletes abroad," he said. Vietnamese athletes had a one-month stint in Jakarta and Bali in May, Singapore sent its athletes to a two-week training session in West Java, Jakarta and Bali in June while athletes from Brunei Darussalam also had two weeks of training in East Java.
Oyong said six countries competing in the SEA Games were preparing for the event by hiring Indonesian pencak silat coaches. "Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and host Brunei are hiring our coaches. I think they will improve soon," he said.
Opinion
But Indonesia's Haris Nugroho has a different opinion. "By having other countries practicing here, we can see their real strength. Some of the athletes from these countries are practicing in different weight categories but we didn't give them a full fight," he said.
"It's not good if Indonesian athletes are too dominant in pencak silat. If we have equal rivals, it will give us new challenges," said Haris, who competes in the 65 to 70 kilograms division. Haris said he must be wary of Singaporean Abdul Kadir in this division.
"I met him during the training here last month and I know that he wants to avenge his 1997 SEA Games defeat here," said the 1997 SEA Games gold medalist, adding that he was well prepared to compete in the biennial event. In the SEA Games from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15, pencak silat will feature two divisions of fighting and arts.
Fighting is divided into 10 weight categories: A (45-50kgs), B (50-55kgs), C (55-60kgs), D (60-65kgs), E (65-70kgs), F (70-75kgs), G (75-80kgs), H (80-85kgs), I (85-90kgs) and J (90-95kgs). The arts are divided into men's and women's wiragana (single), men's and women's wirasangga (doubles) and men's and women's wiraloka (team).
Choreography
In the arts events, athletes are judged on their fighting choreography using one or two weapons. Athletes are allowed to choose from a sickle, dagger, bolo knife, sword, toya (a long stick), trident, whip and lancor (traditional Madurese spear).
"It's not easy to compete in the arts events because we must totally concentrate on our performance to avoid being hurt by the weapons," arts specialist Heni Marhendrawati said. IPSI deputy of athlete development Puji Handoko said he arranged to have athletes focus on individual training.
"Athletes' training programs were based on each individual's strengths and weaknesses. The programs also include work on their mental preparation," he said. National athletes were involved in domestic training in Yogyakarta and Bali last month. "Generally, the results of the training were satisfying but we are still working on athletes' weaknesses, particularly their speed," he said.
Team members
Men: Abas Akbar, Abdul Rochim, Agus L, Cecep Aziiz Ramdhani, Eko Wahyudi, Hans Luther Manam, Haris Nugroho, Hendro Wardoyo, Jeje Nursabah, Joko Suprihatno, Nur Iskak Al Jufri, Rony Syaifullah, Samuel Mallo, Sukma Satria, Torikul Anwar Women: Alfana, Heni Marhendrawati, Hermy Setya Wati, Marniati Siregar, Ni Made Suparmi, Ni Made Wahyuni, Permata Kemalasari, Rina Dwi Astuti, Siti Dwi Astuti, Siti Sudiharti, Widya Astuti
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55259588/pencak-silat-upbeat-seag.html
26 July 1999
Indonesian debutants want SEA Games gold
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian pendekar (fighters) Heny Marhendrawati and Widya Astuti will make their international debut at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
As newcomers, they have the burden of upholding Indonesia's dominance in its traditional sport of pencak silat at the biennial event. "We were surprised when we were called to join the national training program for the SEA Games. But we are proud to do so. We'll do our best to win gold as our seniors did," said Heny, who was born in Surabaya on April 8, 1978.
Heny and partner Widya, born in Surabaya on Sept. 22, 1978, will compete in the women's wirasangga (doubles arts event) at the Games. They will display their fighting choreography using two sickles and a knife.
"We are working hard to improve our choreography. In arts, you must totally concentrate on the performance because you are using real weapons. My right leg was hurt twice by Heny's sickle during practice because of my lack of concentration," Widya said while showing her wounds.
Both athletes joined the national training program on June 14 after several tough selection tournaments in their hometown. They have managed to overcome their homesickness during the training and concentrate on their preparations for the Games. Heny and Widya competed with Pamur in their hometown of Surabaya.
With three of their teammates, they won the women's wiraloka (team event) gold medal at the 1997 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. They also won the gold in the team event at the 1997 Nusantara Silat Festival in Trengganu, Malaysia. Heny, who is about 15 centimeters taller than Widya, expressed hope that they could have a match to evaluate the progress of their training.
"We still have no idea where our weaknesses lie. Of course, our coach has told us but that's not good enough," Heny said, adding that she knew nothing about the strengths of her rivals. Both Heny and Widya named Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Games host Brunei as their toughest rivals.
Heny began studying pencak silat in 1994 with her two older brothers.
"I just wanted to learn it. I never thought I would turn into an athlete," said the youngest of Soeharto and Rusmidah's 10 children. Widya was born into a family of pencak silat athletes. Her grandfather was a pendekar with the Bajing Loncat club in Pamekasan, Madura.
"It runs in the family. All family members learn pencak silat, but I am the only one who is serious in the sport," said the third child of Choidi Djajoes and Ariati. Neither Heny or Widya intend to switch to the fighting events. "We love the pencak silat arts. We will continue partnering until we are unable to compete," Heny said.
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55259587/indonesian-debutants-want-sea.html
As newcomers, they have the burden of upholding Indonesia's dominance in its traditional sport of pencak silat at the biennial event. "We were surprised when we were called to join the national training program for the SEA Games. But we are proud to do so. We'll do our best to win gold as our seniors did," said Heny, who was born in Surabaya on April 8, 1978.
Heny and partner Widya, born in Surabaya on Sept. 22, 1978, will compete in the women's wirasangga (doubles arts event) at the Games. They will display their fighting choreography using two sickles and a knife.
"We are working hard to improve our choreography. In arts, you must totally concentrate on the performance because you are using real weapons. My right leg was hurt twice by Heny's sickle during practice because of my lack of concentration," Widya said while showing her wounds.
Both athletes joined the national training program on June 14 after several tough selection tournaments in their hometown. They have managed to overcome their homesickness during the training and concentrate on their preparations for the Games. Heny and Widya competed with Pamur in their hometown of Surabaya.
With three of their teammates, they won the women's wiraloka (team event) gold medal at the 1997 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. They also won the gold in the team event at the 1997 Nusantara Silat Festival in Trengganu, Malaysia. Heny, who is about 15 centimeters taller than Widya, expressed hope that they could have a match to evaluate the progress of their training.
"We still have no idea where our weaknesses lie. Of course, our coach has told us but that's not good enough," Heny said, adding that she knew nothing about the strengths of her rivals. Both Heny and Widya named Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Games host Brunei as their toughest rivals.
Heny began studying pencak silat in 1994 with her two older brothers.
"I just wanted to learn it. I never thought I would turn into an athlete," said the youngest of Soeharto and Rusmidah's 10 children. Widya was born into a family of pencak silat athletes. Her grandfather was a pendekar with the Bajing Loncat club in Pamekasan, Madura.
"It runs in the family. All family members learn pencak silat, but I am the only one who is serious in the sport," said the third child of Choidi Djajoes and Ariati. Neither Heny or Widya intend to switch to the fighting events. "We love the pencak silat arts. We will continue partnering until we are unable to compete," Heny said.
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55259587/indonesian-debutants-want-sea.html
14 July 1999
Brunei hope for more silat medals
Silat is one sports that officials in Brunei Darussalam believe would contribute a lot of medals to the Brunei team at the 20th SEA Games. Over the past few appearances, silat had been the mainstay of Brunei's outing in the biennial Games.
Brunei acquired its first SEA Games gold medal from the Malay traditional martial art-turn-international sports event in 1987 in Jakarta through the skills of Awg Zabidi Ali.
In 1993, Dyg Umikalsum, another silat exponent, brought further glory to Brunei with another gold from the Singapore SEA Games.
Brunei silat participants in the previous SEA Games also typically came home with a handful of silvers and bronzes.
Currently, 27 exponents, under the watchful eyes of coach Awg Hassan bin Hj Tuah, are undergoing intensive training to prepare for the up-coming SEA Games.
According to sources, the training involves improving the exponents' physical and mental fitness, and enhancing their stamina.
The training programme also include participation in competitions locally and overseas, which included a recent 10 days spell in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Brunei invited the Vietnam and Sarawak silat teams over for the Brunei Open not so long ago, and came up top of the table with seven gold medals. So, the potential for the Brunei silat team to do well in the 20th SEA Games is there; it is all a matter now of turning that potential into reality.
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55222938/sports-brunei-hope-more.html
Brunei acquired its first SEA Games gold medal from the Malay traditional martial art-turn-international sports event in 1987 in Jakarta through the skills of Awg Zabidi Ali.
In 1993, Dyg Umikalsum, another silat exponent, brought further glory to Brunei with another gold from the Singapore SEA Games.
Brunei silat participants in the previous SEA Games also typically came home with a handful of silvers and bronzes.
Currently, 27 exponents, under the watchful eyes of coach Awg Hassan bin Hj Tuah, are undergoing intensive training to prepare for the up-coming SEA Games.
According to sources, the training involves improving the exponents' physical and mental fitness, and enhancing their stamina.
The training programme also include participation in competitions locally and overseas, which included a recent 10 days spell in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Brunei invited the Vietnam and Sarawak silat teams over for the Brunei Open not so long ago, and came up top of the table with seven gold medals. So, the potential for the Brunei silat team to do well in the 20th SEA Games is there; it is all a matter now of turning that potential into reality.
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-55222938/sports-brunei-hope-more.html
09 June 1999
Brunei silat team ready for battle
The Brunei Pencak Silat team is now undergoing intensive training under the guidance of two Indonesian coaches, Sutjipto and Mohd Nasri. The two coaches have been training the team for the past three months and according to them, the team has made excellent progress.
For the past three months, Sutjipto has been training 12 members of the team under the Arts category. The category consists of three events - the men and women solo or Wiraganna, the men and women duel or Wirasangga and the men and women kata or Wiralokka Jurus Wajib.
Mohd Nasri has been training another 20 members of the team under the Athletics category. This consists of 15 events. According to the two coaches the team is now ever ready to take on the best from the Asean region.
Recently, the team participated in a friendly match against Pengda Ipsi Jawa Timur, one of Indonesia's finest teams, in Surabaya. The friendly match was one of the try-outs for the team in their preparation for the upcoming SEA Games in August.
According to the coaches, the Brunei team made quite an impact in Surabaya. Although the team did not fare quite well in the Athletics category, the team managed to upset the opposition in the Arts category.
The Brunei team gained first place in the men's Wiraganna (solo) category and in the women's Wirasangga (duel) category. The women's Wiralokka Jurus Wajib (kata) category also gave the opposition a run for their money.
According to Sutjipto, the women's Wiralokka was recently introduced to the Brunei team and they have yet to learn. "The women's team is progressing rapidly and are more than eager to learn the event."
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-54850253/sports-brunei-silat-team.html
For the past three months, Sutjipto has been training 12 members of the team under the Arts category. The category consists of three events - the men and women solo or Wiraganna, the men and women duel or Wirasangga and the men and women kata or Wiralokka Jurus Wajib.
Mohd Nasri has been training another 20 members of the team under the Athletics category. This consists of 15 events. According to the two coaches the team is now ever ready to take on the best from the Asean region.
Recently, the team participated in a friendly match against Pengda Ipsi Jawa Timur, one of Indonesia's finest teams, in Surabaya. The friendly match was one of the try-outs for the team in their preparation for the upcoming SEA Games in August.
According to the coaches, the Brunei team made quite an impact in Surabaya. Although the team did not fare quite well in the Athletics category, the team managed to upset the opposition in the Arts category.
The Brunei team gained first place in the men's Wiraganna (solo) category and in the women's Wirasangga (duel) category. The women's Wiralokka Jurus Wajib (kata) category also gave the opposition a run for their money.
According to Sutjipto, the women's Wiralokka was recently introduced to the Brunei team and they have yet to learn. "The women's team is progressing rapidly and are more than eager to learn the event."
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-54850253/sports-brunei-silat-team.html
17 April 1999
World community interested on pencak silat
Medan, April 17 (ANTARA) - Pencak silat, Indonesia's traditional self-defence sport, is drawing wide attention among the world community, chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) Edi M. Nalapraya said here Friday night.
Edi said pencak silat was not only recognized in Indonesia but also in Australia and several European countries like the Netherlands and Germany.
"This condition poses a challenge to the Indonesian people , namely how to preserve and develop this sport," said Edi after attending a ceremony marking the installation of the executive board of IPSI's North Sumatera branch.
He said IPSI was making efforts to have pencak silat accepted as an event in the Asian Games.
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-54733593/indonesia-world-community-interested.html
Edi said pencak silat was not only recognized in Indonesia but also in Australia and several European countries like the Netherlands and Germany.
"This condition poses a challenge to the Indonesian people , namely how to preserve and develop this sport," said Edi after attending a ceremony marking the installation of the executive board of IPSI's North Sumatera branch.
He said IPSI was making efforts to have pencak silat accepted as an event in the Asian Games.
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-54733593/indonesia-world-community-interested.html
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