Umi Khaltum calls it quits after 10 years
Umi Khaltum calls it quits after 10 years
JAKARTA (JP): After representing Brunei Darussalam for 10
years in many pencak silat events, Umi Khaltum binte Abdul Karim
has decided to retire and concentrate more on her personal life.
"I've been practicing pencak silat since 1989 and I started
playing in international tournaments in 1990. I think it's time
for me to retire," she said on the sidelines of the 2000 Pencak
Silat World Championship at Pencak Silat Center in Taman Mini
Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.
"But I'm not sure whether to retire after this championship or
after the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. I have to think about it
first," she added.
Umi received her bachelor's degree from the Sreitchleid
University in Scotland.
"I graduated in sports in the community department in July.
Currently, I'm working for the Ministry of Education," said Umi.
"I think it's time for me to start a new life outside pencak
silat. It's quite boring to spend most of your time in practice
sessions," said Umi.
Born on Nov. 6, 1972, Umi won gold medals in the B class (50kg
to 55kg) in various events, such as the 1990 Merdeka Games, 1992
Silver Jubilee, both in her native Brunei, and the Singapore 1993
SEA Games. In the 1999 Bandar Seri Begawan Darussalam SEA Games
she won a silver.
She was more concerned, however, on the lack of youngsters in
Brunei to replace her.
"First of all, Brunei has a lack of pencak silat tournaments.
There is only one annual tournament during the festivities to
celebrate the sultan's birthday. I don't think it's enough for
our pesilat (fighters) to compete," she said.
"Another reason is that pencak silat schools back home aren't
developing very well. Besides, we only have about 10 active
schools."
She also said Brunei emphasized more on martial arts events
instead of fighting events which inhibited fighters' development.
"We brought an Indonesian coach, Pak Nasri, to improve our
fighting skills," she said.
Commenting on competition in the championship, Umi
acknowledged that skills had been evenly distributed among
participants.
"I think the participants now have more or less equal skills.
At least the gap is not as wide as before. We can't say that this
country is stronger than the other," she said.
"It depends on our mental concentration now since our skills
are equalized. Players who have better mental concentration will
be the winners," she added. (nvn)