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Double world titles for S’pore silat exponents

SINGAPORE – They fell short of the team target of four gold medals, but Singapore’s silat exponents still had plenty to cheer about yesterday at the World Pencak Silat Championships in Bali, Indonesia, as Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin and Muhammad Shakir Juanda clinched gold medals in their respective men’s tandang classes.

Shakir Juanda (left) and Sheik Farhan (right) celebrating their victories with SSF chief Sheik Alau’ddin. Photo: SSF Facebook page

Shakir Juanda (left) and Sheik Farhan (right) celebrating their victories with SSF chief Sheik Alau’ddin. Photo: SSF Facebook page

SINGAPORE – They fell short of the team target of four gold medals, but Singapore’s silat exponents still had plenty to cheer about yesterday at the World Pencak Silat Championships in Bali, Indonesia, as Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin and Muhammad Shakir Juanda clinched gold medals in their respective men’s tandang classes.

Farhan, 19, defeated Vietnam’s Mach Quoc Hung 5-0 in the final of the men’s J (90-95kg) class, while Shakir overcame Firdhana Wahyu Putra of Indonesia by the same scoreline in the I (85-90kg) category. Victory in Indonesia also gave both men their second career world titles, after their respective triumphs at the world tournament in 2015 and 2012.

It is the first time in 12 years that the Republic has won multiple gold medals at the championships, which saw exponents from 41 countries competing for honours this year. Team Singapore finished the six-day tournament with two gold, one silver and eight bronze medals.

Despite missing out on their initial goal, Singapore Silat Federation (SSF) chief executive officer Sheik Alau’ddin Yacoob Marican was delighted with the team’s performances in Bali. “We have made an impact here, and made a statement to the world that we’re a country to watch out for,” said Sheik. “Yes, we fell short of my target of four gold medals, but that doesn’t mean those who lost are hopeless. They did their best and I’m still very proud of them. Now, we’re looking ahead to next year’s SEA Games, where we are targeting to win more gold medals than we did last year (one gold medal).”

To prepare for the championship, the team underwent an 11-day training camp at their new training base at the OCBC Arena, which gave them access to various services at the Singapore Sports Institute.

Sheik is hopeful that the support will give the national team a boost for the Games, as he added: “Hopefully we can build on this success, and that the younger athletes will be inspired to work hard to try and emulate Farhan and Shakir in future.”

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