USA Pencak Silat School Sends Competitor to World Silat Tournament in Jakarta
Indonesian Martial Art competitor prepares for World Competition in Pencak Silat

(Washington, D.C., 11/30/10) – Pencak Silat Al-Azhar USA, an internationally recognized martial arts school specializing in Pencak Silat, is sending a competitor for the first time to the 2010 World Pencak Silat tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia from Dec 12th-17th 2010 representing the United States of America. Pencak Silat competitors from 36 countries will be participating in tournament.

Pencak Silat is the official name used to indicate more than 800 martial arts schools and styles spread across more than 13,000 islands in Indonesia. However, this is actually a compound name consisting of two terms used in different regions. The word "pencak" and its dialectic derivatives such as "penca" (West Java) and "mancak" (Madura and Bali) is commonly used in Java, Madura and Bali, whereas the term "silat" or "silek" is used in Sumatra.

Abdul-Malik Ahmad, a native to the Washington, D.C. area, has been training in Pencak Silat for over 20 years. “I have competed in many martial arts tournaments in the past”, says Ahmad. “But it is the first time I will compete in a full Silat tournament with official Silat rules and regulations.

In 2008, Abdul-Malik Ahmad visited Indonesia with his instructor Wona Sumantri. He was able to document the trip and create a video “Pencak Silat – Journey to Indonesia”. He hopes to create another video to help promote not only the traditional aspects of Pencak Silat but also the sport aspects that is popular with the youth. “I deal with younger students and they are interested in the sport aspects of Pencak Silat. I hope to learn more about the sport and help promote it in the United States as a way to draw them into to the vast ocean of knowledge that is Pencak Silat”.

Abdul-Malik Ahmad plans on participating in two divisions of Silat Olahraga or “Sport Silat”. First is called “Jurus Tunggal” in which the participant has to perform a set of about 100 moves with the “Toya” (staff), Golok (machete) and empty hand. In addition to this, he will also compete in the “Tanding” which will be the actual sparring. Being that this is the first time attending such an event, Abdul-Malik Ahmad mainly hopes to learn so that he can prepare other students to attend the tournament in the future.

In addition to his involvement with Pencak Silat Al-Azhar, Abdul-Malik Ahmad is also a member of the internationally recognized hip hop group Native Deen. Native Deen is making plans to perform in Indonesia in Spring 2011.

Pencak Silat Al-Azhar was founded in 1970 in Jakarta, Indonesia and had open branches througout Indonesia (Bengkulu, Tasik, Malang, and Jambi) and overseas (Australia, Germany, South Africa, and USA).

Pencak Silat Al-Azhar USA, has held classes in Washington, D.C. at the Embassy of Indonesia for over 20 years. Currently the head instructor is Wona Sumantri, who trains the most of the adult and advanced students. In the last several years, the school has branched out to Northern Virginia, and has opened classes for youth under the leadership of Terra Kurnia and Abdul-Malik Ahmad.

For more information about the World Pencak Silat tournament, visit http://www.tribunnews.com/2010/08/24/ipsi-gelar-kejuaraan-dunia-silat-di...