Singapore’s young silat exponents surpassed expectations at the 6th Asian Pencak Silat Championship

Team Singapore finished second in the standings, behind overall champions Vietnam, as they bagged a total of 19 medals; nine gold, four silver and six bronze medals, at the 6th Asian Pencak Silat Championship held from 13 to 16 Oct 2022, at the Sher Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex in India.

Singapore sent a 24-strong contingent, with 19 of them making their debut in international competition, competing in 22 events in both the ‘tanding’ (match) and ‘seni’ (artistic) categories. 

Their performance won the praise of Edwin Tong, minister for culture, community, and youth who posted on Facebook, “From Hanoi SEA Games to Pencak Silat World Championship to now 6th Asian Pencak Silat Championship, our Team Singapore silat athletes have shown that they are a force to be reckon with this year.”

“It is also evident that their dedication in honing their skills and learning from every competition have helped them grow from strength to strength.”

The national team coach Noh Mohd Sharif was definitely pleased with his silat exponents and had special mentions for the two 17-year-olds in the team who won the gold medals, Nurshahfareeq Shahrudin, and Dhani Andika.

“The performances of the athletes exceeded my expectation as most of them were debutants and followed our game plan. Fareeq and Dhani Andika performed beyond my expectations as they faced powerhouse Indonesia and Vietnam respectively, and came out on top. They were confident with their techniques and shaken the confidence of their opponents,” said coach Noh Mohd Sharif.

Dhani, despite a young age and facing a more experienced opponent, gathered strength from those around him. He did not once let any negative thoughts distract him from all the preparations that he had done prior to the competition.

“To mentally prepare myself, I had to find confidence. That was fairly easy because all I had to do was have faith in myself and those who believed in me such as my coaches, friends and family, especially my father,” said Dhani, who defeated India’s Prasanna Bendre in the men’s under 45kg category.

“I honestly did not expect the gold medal because I was still new to the senior category. Going against Vietnam was a big hurdle for me, but nonetheless to win it. I never aimed for anything less.”

For Nurshahfareeq, he has been getting pointers from fellow national team silat athlete Sheik Farhan in preparations for this tournament, and it certainly helps him when he goes up against a familiar opponent.

“My coaches, sparring partners and sports trainers have been helping me. It’s a team effort to be physically prepared for a competition. No matter how physically prepared I am, there are bound to be ups and downs. Just like having to compete hours after I just landed in Kashmir. Having to adapt to different weather temperatures during the match,” said Nurshahfareeq.

“I have to be mentally prepared in order to execute my best abilities and skills. My mental coaches have been the best of help in ensuring I am focused. Having to cancel and block out all the negativity and unwanted thoughts in my mind.”

“Farhan has been helping me and advising me on how to tackle and prepare myself for this competition. Wanting that gold medal was never an option. But I didn’t expect to get it. Having to face Vietnam and especially Rangga Andika from Indonesia who was Farhan’s opponent during the 17th World Championship in Malacca.”

Another athlete that surpassed the coaches expectations is Muhammad Naufal Abdullah from the Singapore Sports School. Despite his tender age of 16-year-old, he had set a target of coming out top in his event.

“It is my first overseas competition and I am playing in the senior category despite my age.. I physically prepare myself by training hard and always asking my coaches if they could help me polish my techniques in order for me to perform better in the competition,” shared Naufal.

“Mentally, I tell myself that I will and can do my best despite fighting more experienced athletes from other countries. I had expected myself to get the gold medal even if I am one of the youngest in the category. But I managed to clinch the silver medal and I am proud to be able to represent Singapore in this competition.”

Commenting on the performance of the young athletes, many of whom are taking part in international tournaments for the first time, Dr Sheik Alau’ddin Yacoob Marican chief executive officer of Singapore Silat Federation expressed his delight but reminded his charges to remain focused and prepare for their next competition.

“The team has achieved and surpassed the target I set; however, we need to stay on guard where the athletes should not think that their mission has been completed. We need to be always prepared with unexpected changes, with new challenges from all aspects, including fighting techniques or their opponents, and many more.”

“This is not the end for our athletes, as we have more events and competitions to look forward to. And one of it is the upcoming 2nd World Beach Pencak Silat Championship which will be held in Mactan, Cebu Province, Philippines, from 6 to 12 December 2022.”