Tournaments - FMA Informative

DS: My primary Silat training is under Maha Guru Cliff Stewart, founder of Kilat
Pukulan Pencak Silat and Guru Thomas Lomax, Guru Stewart’s most senior student. I
have also had the opportunity to learn aspects
of Silat from Pendekar Richard DeBordes
of Harimau Minangkabau and Pendekar Steven
Benitez, Wali Songo Pencak Silat.
FMAdigest: How are African Warrior
Arts combined into your system?
DS: Once a student attains the level of
Guro, they are then introduced to various
aspects of African Warrior Combatives.
Some of them include wrestling (Gdigbo/
Eke), spear and shield from the Zulu’s,
the
Naboot Stick (4’ Staff), Wrist and Ankle
Knives, and much more. My primary
teacher in these combatives is Ahati
Kilindi Iyi. I am also in the process of
learning the Ga-Damgbe Warrior
Arts and will be traveling to Ghana, West Afrika in
August
2007 to learn the Wrestling, Knife Tactics, Boxing, the Dances, and the spiritual
aspects of the Ga community.
FMAdigest: Please explain the components of Sadiq Kali Silat?
DS: Sadiq Kali Silat begins training in the empty hand, palm stick, single stick and basic
edged weapon tactics. Our beginning-training module begins with a heavy emphasis on
footwork and how to use the footwork both offensively and defensively. Students cover
basic strikes and blocks with both weapons and empty hands. Our empty hand component
also covers multiple striking, low line kicks, joint locks, arm-bars, throws, and practical
self-defense tactics. The primary emphasis in the beginning weapon component is the
learning of basic passing along with blocking and countering. Our edged weapon tactics
include learning the basic strikes and targets, along with emphasizing re-directing,
parrying, and passing the blade with the proper body movement and angles. Non-contact
sparring with the stick is an essential aspect of the beginner syllabus.
In more advanced aspects of Sadiq, emphasis is placed on weapon-boxing and
stick-grappling implementing both the weapon
and live hand. There is always an
importa nce placed on incorporating both upper and lower body in all aspects offensively
and defensively with the knife and sticks.
Once a student is promoted to Trainer (Tagapagsanay), they now emphasize the
combatives stage. The combative stage emphasizes fighting, and the incorporation of all
of the previous learned components. Contact levels range from light
contact to hard
contact.
Students are also taught the various sub-styles of the system including: Ocho –
Ocho, Abaniko, Redondo, Sungkiti, and Sinawali, among others.
FMAdigest: Can you discuss a little about Kamau Ryu, and tell us the basic concept?
DS: Grandmaster Ron Van Clief officially sanctioned Kamau Ryu in 1993. Kamau Ryu
primarily emphasizes the Ju Jitsu and Aiki Jitsu teachings of legendary Grandmasters
Prof. Florendo Visitacion (Vee Jitsu Ryu Ju Jitsu), Dr. Moses Powell (Sanuces Ryu),