Japan clinches bronze in pencak silat

Japan clinches bronze in pencak silat

JAKARTA (JP): Japan is widely known for its traditional
martial arts which includes karate, judo, aikido and jiu jitsu.
So the presence of Japanese fighters at the 2000 Pencak Silat
World Championships surprised many people.

It was even more surprising when Japanese Mamiko Hirota
reached the semifinals of the women's B (50kgs-55kgs) class and
secured the bronze medal, its sole medal at the event.

How did pencak silat gain popularity in Japan? It was the hard
work of three Indonesian coaches sent by the Indonesian Pencak
Silat Association (IPSI) to Japan to promote the sport.

"I introduced pencak silat to Japan in 1996 with Yuli Purwanto
and Jaja. Currently there are 15 active members and about 50
graduates," Susilo, who is the Japanese team's pencak silat
coach, told The Jakarta Post at the sidelines of the
championships at the Pencak Silat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia
Indah on Sunday.

"We launched several campaigns to introduce pencak silat to
the Japanese public, including holding demonstrations in
universities and a TV interview with our ambassador."

Susilo -- who had earlier introduced the sport in the
Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam -- established pencak silat
schools at Tokyo's Washington University and the Tokodai
Institute of Technology.

He urged the International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat)
to hold more official events to develop the sport in Japan.

"Persilat should approach Japan's National Sport Council to
establish a national pencak silat team. To support them, Persilat
can send more coaches to train the team," he said.

"So far, Persilat has yet to officially call the Japanese
council to set up a national team. But I'm sure they have heard
of us."

Susilo said it was important to approach prospective countries
as pencak silat had been recognized as an Asian sport and had the
chance to be staged in the quadrennial Asian Games.

Japan sent four fighters to the championships. They were
Naohiro Shimade in the men's D (60kgs-65kgs) class, Akiko Asami
in the women's A (45kgs-50kgs) class, Mamiko Hirota in the
women's B (50kgs-55kgs) class and Kyoko Soda in the women's
martial arts single.

Hirota, who clinched a bronze, failed to overcome the eventual
champion Nguyen Ngoc Anh of Vietnam in the semifinals.

In her quarterfinals, Hirota outclassed Anita Musadi of
Singapore with her throwing technics, a clear influence of
Japan's own judo.

"Actually, Mamiko was a judoka before she learnt pencak silat
about one and a half years ago. Despite having good throwing
skills, she still has to improve her punching and kicking
skills," said Susilo.

"But her judo experience is very useful as she is mentally
tough. She had no difficulties in the championships."

Susilo said Japan failed to send more fighters as they could
not take leave from work. (nvn)