Japan clinches bronze in pencak silat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Japan is widely known for its traditional
\nmartial arts which includes karate, judo, aikido and jiu jitsu.
\nSo the presence of Japanese fighters at the 2000 Pencak Silat
\nWorld Championships surprised many people.<\/p>\n
It was even more surprising when Japanese Mamiko Hirota
\nreached the semifinals of the women's B (50kgs-55kgs) class and
\nsecured the bronze medal, its sole medal at the event.<\/p>\n
How did pencak silat gain popularity in Japan? It was the hard
\nwork of three Indonesian coaches sent by the Indonesian Pencak
\nSilat Association (IPSI) to Japan to promote the sport.<\/p>\n
\"I introduced pencak silat to Japan in 1996 with Yuli Purwanto
\nand Jaja. Currently there are 15 active members and about 50
\ngraduates,\" Susilo, who is the Japanese team's pencak silat
\ncoach, told The Jakarta Post at the sidelines of the
\nchampionships at the Pencak Silat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia
\nIndah on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"We launched several campaigns to introduce pencak silat to
\nthe Japanese public, including holding demonstrations in
\nuniversities and a TV interview with our ambassador.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo -- who had earlier introduced the sport in the
\nPhilippines, Thailand and Vietnam -- established pencak silat
\nschools at Tokyo's Washington University and the Tokodai
\nInstitute of Technology.<\/p>\n
He urged the International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat)
\nto hold more official events to develop the sport in Japan.<\/p>\n
\"Persilat should approach Japan's National Sport Council to
\nestablish a national pencak silat team. To support them, Persilat
\ncan send more coaches to train the team,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"So far, Persilat has yet to officially call the Japanese
\ncouncil to set up a national team. But I'm sure they have heard
\nof us.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo said it was important to approach prospective countries
\nas pencak silat had been recognized as an Asian sport and had the
\nchance to be staged in the quadrennial Asian Games.<\/p>\n
Japan sent four fighters to the championships. They were
\nNaohiro Shimade in the men's D (60kgs-65kgs) class, Akiko Asami
\nin the women's A (45kgs-50kgs) class, Mamiko Hirota in the
\nwomen's B (50kgs-55kgs) class and Kyoko Soda in the women's
\nmartial arts single.<\/p>\n
Hirota, who clinched a bronze, failed to overcome the eventual
\nchampion Nguyen Ngoc Anh of Vietnam in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
In her quarterfinals, Hirota outclassed Anita Musadi of
\nSingapore with her throwing technics, a clear influence of
\nJapan's own judo.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, Mamiko was a judoka before she learnt pencak silat
\nabout one and a half years ago. Despite having good throwing
\nskills, she still has to improve her punching and kicking
\nskills,\" said Susilo.<\/p>\n
\"But her judo experience is very useful as she is mentally
\ntough. She had no difficulties in the championships.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo said Japan failed to send more fighters as they could
\nnot take leave from work. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-clinches-bronze-in-pencak-silat-1447893297",
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