Horror Fanatic who could Kill

28 Feb 2005, SINGAPURA - “Train hard, think positive, and don't give up.” These were the words of advice from our very own world silat champion, Mohammad Imran Abdul Rahman. The 21- year- old silat enthusiast is also a Third Year Sports & Wellness student from the Business School of Nanyang Polytechnic.

Imran, whose biggest achievement to date is the recent World Championship held in Singapore, has been involved in silat since he was ten years old. Recounting on how he got into silat, he credited his interest in martial arts to the movie Blood Spot. Fascinated by the cool moves portrayed in the movie, he asked his parents if it was all right for him to take up martial arts. They agreed and signed him up at their Community Centre, which coincidentally offered silat. The rest is of course history.

Imran comes across as a friendly and easy- going chap. He does not do silat for fame or recognition but for his passion for it. His other passion is soccer and although he is in the school's soccer team, National rules do not allow him to be part of the school's silat team. Howeer, silat still remains his priority.

Imran does not see himself doing silat all his life. He is more interested in venturing into business or teaching and might only do silat as a form of leisure activity in his own free time.

A typical day for him will be attending school and silat trainings. Usually after ten will he be able to have time for himself with family and friends to relax and hang out at his favourite joints.

With such a packed schedule, comprising of trainings six times per week, four hours each day, it is a no mean feat how he manages to juggle his time between school, family, silat and personal time. But Imran manages and ensures that he dedicates enough time for each, by knowing his priorities well.

If a major competition was coming up, Imran would concentrate on his silat by training a little harder. Similarly, if an ICA was coming up, he would stop his trainings at least four days in advance for revision. For instance, his plans to go to Belgium and France for a Championship had to be cancelled, as he would be having his exams on the 27 th of March.

Balance is what Imran is looking for. He knows that it would be meaningless if he were to excel in just silat and have his studies affected. He wants to excel in both.

Though this world champion oozes self- confidence, he did have some low points in his life and more so, his career in silat. In 2003, when he lost three tournaments in a row and had to return home after being kicked out in the first round, his despair at seeing others, and not him, with medals was indescribable. It was firstly the Asia Pacific games in August, then the SEA Games in December where he lost against the opponent from the Philippines and finally, the Paris Open was the last straw. He even thought of quitting and focusing instead on his studies only.

But with full support from his family, especially his father who told him to not pursue his dreams halfway, he persevered and stayed on. With such determination, he was rewarded with a turn of events in 2004, starting from the UK Open, Swiss Open and the sweetest victory of all, the recent World Championship.

Imran does not believe that he has become more famous since appearing in the headlines, but in bringing glory to the nation though the number of students under him has reached 100 and still increasing. He just wants those aspiring to be silat champs to believe in themselves and achieve the best they can.

By NUR LIYANA MD AKBAR
Sourced from http://clednews.tripod.com/stories/profileonimran.htm

Fresh approach needed for silat bodies to woo young generation

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Traditional martial art organisations have been urged to adopt a fresh approach in terms of training methods in order to attract participation from the younger generation.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, when making the call, said the fresh approach was necessary to ensure continued interest in the cultural heritage among the younger generation.

"Otherwise, we will see our silat art dying one by one, especially those silat art which have little following and are seldom heard of," he said when launching the Martial Art Council (MARCIL), here.

He also reminded leaders of silat bodies not to reject elements of science and technology in enriching style and technique of the art so that it could be accepted by the international community as an art of self-defence that was not merely ritual in nature.

He said silat masters should also impart all their skills to the students so that they could be at par or even better than their masters.

"Silat masters should discard the old attitude of not imparting all their skills to the students for fear that their students would be better than them. That is why when the warrior Mat Kilau died, there was no one who could match him because no one had inherited his silat skills," Najib said.

He said besides having the ability to defend oneself from any threat, silat exponents were usually people of good character as they followed religious teachings and were of high morals.

"As such, the silat and martial art organisations with more than four million members formed a strong front in facing social threats," he said.

At the ceremony, Najib heard the pledge of allegiance to the government by representatives of about 130 silat and martial art organisations which were affiliated to MARCIL.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18627325_ITM

Watch out for Rina!

DEFEAT was a bitter pill for Rina Jordana Adnan to swallow at last month's World Championships, but the silat exponent hopes to get it right at the Paris Open in March.

Rina, who packs a powerful punch despite being only 150cm tall and makes heads turn with her good looks, has remained undefeated in the National Championships since 1999.

She, however, was controversially knocked out in the early rounds of the world meet in Singapore.

The loss prevented her from fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a world champion and the silver from the 2002 World Championships remains her biggest achievement to date.

Despite her exit, Malaysia still created history when they finished above Indonesia in the standings with six gold, one silver and nine bronze medals.

Vietnam proved they were the new kingpins when they claimed nine gold, eight silver and two bronze medals to emerge champions.

Indonesia were third with four-six-five.

Rina, a sports science graduate, hopes this year will be fruitful and is targetting gold at the Manila SEA Games.

"I never seem to have much luck in international tournaments," said the 24-year-old part-time silat coach with MPPJ.

"Perhaps this year it will be different.

After all my disappointments, I hope to finally win gold in Manila." Rina, a class B (50-55kg) category exponent, comes from a family who have a deep background in silat - her parents Adnan Mohamad and Rosimah Jantan were her first teachers while younger sister Rina Juliana Adnan was formerly in the national team.

Meanwhile, National Silat Association (Pesaka) secretary Megat Zulkarnain Omar Din is hopeful Malaysia can continue their good form at the Manila Games.

"This (World Championships results) is our best ever achievement," he said.

"Previously, our best haul was five gold medals at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

"To finish with six was a great achievement and will stand us in good stead for this year's SEA Games." The Malaysians who won gold in the World Championships were - Abang Erdie Fauzerul Abang Pauzan (Class A), Ahmad Shahril Zailuddin (Class D), Mohd Zuber Ismail (Class G), Mohd Azrin Abdul Malek (Class J) and two female exponents - Mastura Sapuan (Class E) and Suzy Mohd Sulaiman (creative solo).

Zulkarnain added Pesaka have yet to set a target for Manila but cautioned expectations should not be too high as only 14 events will be contested.

"But we are lukcy to have silat in the SEA Games as it was not in the initial list of sports," he said.

"There will only be 14 gold medals up for grabs.

So, we have to set a realistic target.

Two years ago, we only came home with two golds and perhaps we should, for now at least, aim for three.

"We will have a better idea of how we may fare closer to the Games and may be then, we may revise our targets." On Rina's defeat, he said: "All of us in the Malaysian camp felt Rina won her bout but, unfortunately, the judges did not see it that way.

There was nothing we could do.

Winning the six gold medals, however, made up for it." Zulkarnain added the national exponents will begin training on Tuesday and the Paris Open will be their first test this year.

However, instead of sending their world champions to France, Pesaka have decided to give them a rest.

"Although the Paris Open is quite a big event, with over 20 clubs and countries already confirmed in the fray, we have decided to send those who have yet to qualify for the SEA Games," he explained.

"The world champions are assured of boarding the plane to Manila - provided they maintain their form.

As such, we want to give the other exponents a chance to book their tickets to the SEA Games."

Written by GRAIG NUNIS
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-127965150/watch-out-rina.html

Viet Nam revel in world title

22 Dec 2004, VIETNAM - Viet Nam’s pencak silat artists retained their world beating position at the martial art’s world championships that wrapped in Singapore on Sunday.

The Vietnamese team bagged eight gold, nine silver and three bronze medals, beating second-placed Malaysia, and third-placed Indonesia.

Viet Nam’s 26-member squad took part in 24 events including six seni (performance) and 18 tanding (combat).

In the tanding competition, Vietnamese artists dominated with eight gold, eight silver and a bronze, and in the seni competition they took a silver and two bronze.

"Although faced with many difficulties during the championship, our artists played with their best spirits, showing the pride of world champions," said national coach Nguyen Ngoc Anh at Noi Bai International Airport on Monday.

Ngoc Anh, 32, said as the title defenders, which they won for the past two years in Malaysia, Viet Nam showed "we are still the leading country in pentjak silat".

Le Thi Hang opened the event with a gold in the 50kg class, her teammate Le Thi Thu Huong added a gold in the 60kg division, and Le Thi Hong Ngoan took home the top prize in the heavyweight 75kg category.

The men completed a gold haul with Nguyen Ngoc Anh, in 60kg, Le Anh Tuan, in 70kg and Dinh Cong Son in the 75kg class.

Tunggal competitor Nguyen Viet Anh pulled off a perfect performance to snare gold in men’s singles, and teammates Nguyen Huy Bao, Le Quang Dung and Nguyen Dang Linh took out the team (regu) event.

The world championship attracted 250 artists from 31 countries competing in seni and tanding events.

Viet Nam is widely touted to host the 2006 World Championship, according to the national coach.

Sourced from Vietnam News at http://vietnamnews.vnanet.vn/2004-12/21/Stories/27.htm

Vietnam Remains World's Best in Pencak Silat

Vietnam had an outstanding performance at the eighth World Pencak Silat Championship in Singapore last week, topping the medal standings with eight gold, nine silver and three bronze medals.

The country took home the gold in seven men and women weight divisions as well as gold in the men's group division.

However, according to Vietnamese experts, their players would have won more gold medals if the judges had been fairer.

At the tournament, Malaysia ranked second with five gold medals and host Singapore ranked third with four gold medals. Indonesia earned two gold medals.

Meanwhile, the World Pencak Silat Federation will consider submitting a proposal for the sport to be officially included in the competition events of Asian Games 16 in 2010.

Pencak Silat is a type of kung-fu marital arts and traditionally comes from Southeast Asian country Indonesia. But for years, Vietnam has dominated the sport.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18293917_ITM

Dont' use abilities for wrong purposes, silat exponents told

BUTTERWORTH, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Members of silat associations were today reminded to use their martial arts knowledge for the good of the people and the country.

Penang Federation of Malaysian Silat Associations (Pesaka) Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said exponents should not abuse the silat knowledge they have to create trouble and disturb the peace enjoyed by the people.

He was speaking to reporters after the opening of the Penang Silat Nusantara 2004 Carnival by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at Dataran Pemuda Merdeka here today.

Some 600 silat exponents from 10 silat associations participated in the one-day carnival: Seni Silat Garuda Malaysia, Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia, Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia, Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia, Seni Silat Melayu Asli, Seni Silat Pancaindera Lintau, Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia, Seni Silat Sendeng Tujuh, Seni Silat Sundang Pusaka and Seni Silat Gegaran Petani.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18282877_ITM

For fitness & self defence

A former sports journalist turned silat exponent is now promoting `Senaman Tua' for developing mental and physical prowess, to both local and foreign students. FAZLI IBRAHIM has the story.

A REVOLUTION HAS BEEN sweeping through some martial arts gyms in Kuala Lumpur of late.

These days, the students in their black getup are not just there to learn the basics of silat - rather they're here to exercise, thanks to a system formulated by former sports journalist Azlan Ghanie.

An exponent of Silat Lok Sembilan, a style of the Malay martial arts he inherited from his father, Azlan has taught students as far afield as the Netherlands and edits Seni Beladiri, a monthly dedicated to the Malaysian martial arts scene.

He developed an exercise system called Senaman Tua based on the movements found in Silat Lok Sembilan aimed at developing mental and physical fitness.

Each movement is based on a petua or old maxim, which can be developed into any number of variations, which in turn opens the door to endless possibilities.

"There are 1001 petua and each petua can be broken into 1001 movements." Many find it unusual since it is an exercise rooted firmly in Malay culture, just as Yoga is to Indians and Qigong to the Chinese.

In Senaman Tua, there is a lot of emphasis on regulating breathing, as well as correcting the body's posture.

The movements vary from slow and deliberate stances to faster hand and leg movements.

Someone with a grounding in the martial arts can easily turn these simple exercise movements to effective defence techniques.

More importantly, Azlan believes that through the exercises, students are able to absorb innate martial arts skills, as well as to inculcate alertness, which helps you to sense danger and ward off unnecessary confrontation.

While Senaman Tua can be studied on its own, it is also as much about preparing the body with the strength, suppleness and agility needed in Silat training sessions as well as to drill silat students in important movements.

The movements have evocative Malay names such as susun sirih or arranging betel leaves, tari piring, or saucer dance and selak dahan or parting the branches.

"If we understand the body, seronok, it is a lot of fun," he says, outlining one of Senaman Tua's purposes.

Each session is an hour long and usually precedes a Lok Sembilan training slot.

He claims that with frequent sessions, the exercises can help alleviate the symptoms of asthma, gout and even heart disease.

"Someone with a history of heart disease approached me and I told him to try it out. After two months of Senaman Tua sessions, he went for a checkup at the National Heart Institute. The doctor says his heart is now stronger," says Azlan.

The popularity if this exercise has been steadily increasing over the years, with training centres opening all over the Klang valley. An indication of its popularity is the adoption of Senaman Tua as one of the activities of the Malaysia Airlines Silat Club, based in Subang Jaya.

These days, Azlan personally instructs several Senaman Tua classes around the Klang valley, especially in Setapak, Sungai Buloh and Ampang.

He's even recorded a VCD copy of a Senaman Tua workshop and seminar and is planning a book detailing this exercise with the help of a friend.

"I hope people everywhere will one day adopt and derive benefits from Senaman Tua and see it as a contribution of Malay heritage to the world," he concludes.

Written by FAZLI IBRAHIM
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18209222_ITM