| Fadhil Yunus |
PERGURUAN Panca Sukma emerged the overall champion of the National Youth Pencak Silat Championship during the final and closing ceremony at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night.
The best male athlete went to Mohd Iqbal from the Federal Territory of Labuan Silat Association while Nur Wasiqah Aziemah binti Rosihan from Perguruan Panca Sukma scooped the best female athlete award.
Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad, the guest of honour, presented prizes to the winners.
President of the Brunei Darussalam Pencak Silat Federation (PERSIB) Pengiran Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Ludin and senior members from the federation were also present.
Nur Wasiqah Aziemah excelled in the championship after winning the gold medal in Class ‘D’ of the tanding event with Nur Fadhilah Fikriyah binti Latif from Seni Warisan Pelangi settling for silver. Dayangku Siti Norfakhirah Naqibah binti Pengiran Haji Md Yussof from Sports Schools Council claimed bronze.
In Class ‘C’, Aminu Alif bin Hamidon from the Federal Territory of Labuan Silat Association emerged victorious in the gold medal match after a 5-0 win over Sports Schools Council’s Khirul Amirin bin Jasmin. Seni Silat Kembang Goyang’s Abdul Azim Dhaifullah bin Rodi and Pertubuhan Gagak Hitam’s Awangku Muhd Asyraf bin Pengiran Ali won joint bronze.
Pertubuhan Gagak Hitam’s Md Nur Rizal Hakim bin Md Nur Izan captured the gold medal in the Class ‘D’ tanding after a 5-0 win against Seni Warisan Pelangi’s Awangku Mohammad Nabil Mirza bin Pengiran Mohd Fazillah. Federal Territory of Labuan Silat Association’s Mohd Firdaus bin Bakar and PERPANSIB’s Low Wei Chin were awarded joint bronze.
Meanwhile, in the Class ‘E’ final, Mohd Iqbal from the Federal Territory of Labuan Silat Association won gold after beating Rumpun Silat Sarawak Wilayah Lawas’ Muhamad Zulhairi bin Ramli 5-0. Sports Schools Council’s Hafizuddin bin Kamaluddin grabbed the bronze medal.
The final and closing ceremony was further enlivened with a silat demonstration from various teaching bodies and organisations including young children who entertained the audience with a series of impressive moves.
The event also witnessed a special demonstration from renowned tanding coach Hassan bin Tuah, who has played an important role towards the development of pencak silat in the country.
After three days of healthy and intense competition, the guest of honour declared the closing of the championship.