RI out to retain silat throne

RI out to retain silat throne

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is out to retain the overall
championship title at the World Pencak Silat Championships in
Hatyai, Thailand next week.

The Indonesian Pencak Silat Association has sorted out 30
athletes who performed commendably during the National Games last
year and the National Student Games this year, for the Dec. 13-18
event.

Association secretary general Rustadi Effendi said yesterday
defending champion Indonesia will find host Thailand the toughest
challenger. "Thailand has grown as a strong pencak silat
powerhouse in the last two years. Its pencak silat squad is
struggling to win government's recognition," said Rusadi.

Indonesia won the first world championships at home in 1992.
Pencak silat martial art has its origin in Indonesia. It has been
contested as a full-fledged medal event in the Southeast Asian
Games since 1987. (amd)