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)