OVER the past 20 years, Singaporeans have kicked and punched their way to become world champions in silat.

Current chief executive director of the Singapore Silat Federation Sheik Alauddin (right) paved the way in 1987, bringing home his first world title in the 80-85kg category.

He followed this up with two more titles in 1990and 1994.

In 1994, he was joined atop the world stage by Mohd Hidayat Hosni in the 55-60kg class.

Hidayat is now Singapore's head coach. But he was not the first world champion in his family.

His sister Badariah also picked up a world title at the third championships in 1992 at Jakarta.

Silat excellence must run in their genes as their niece Saiedah Said, who is still representing Singapore, added the family's third world crown in 2004.

Singapore's other world-beaters are Kadir Ibrahim (1997), Mohamed Zulfakar Mohamed Ramli (2002), Yusoff Shah Khamarudin (2004), Muhammad Imran Abdul Rahman (2004) and Zuhrah Sabri (2004).

Granted, such a long list of champions must be tempered by the facts that silat is dominated by South-east Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, with other countries struggling to catch up.

Still, for a small country such as Singapore, producing so many top athletes over 20 years is no mean feat.

Sheik, 39, believes that the success stems from the family atmosphere within the silat community.

"All the stakeholders, including athletes, their parents, coaches and team manager, are very close.

"There are no barriers to communication, so we are able to ensure that everyone gets exactly what he needs to excel.

"The success that we had in the early days helped us inspire and motivate the younger generation and I an sure that we will continue to produce top athletes for many years to come."

THERE were mixed fortunes for two of Singapore's silat world champions on the second day of the Singapore International Open Pencak Silat Championships yesterday.

Mohamed Zulfakar Mohamed Ramli defeated Brunei's Mohamed Raziman Hussin in the semi-final of the men's senior Class C (55-60kg).

Zulfakar won the world title in that category in the 2002 World Championship.

He was awarded a unanimous 5-0 decision over his Brunei opponent yesterday.

He will face Indonesia's Pujo Janoko in today's final at the Bedok Sports Hall.

However, Saiedah Said, the 2004 world champion in the women's 50-55kg class, was defeated by Marie Rabino of the Philippines.

She lost a close 2-3 decision in the semi-final, and had difficulty in getting her opponent off-balance so she could throw her.

She said: "I managed to catch one of her legs a number of times but could not throw her down. She had good defense against that."

The 21-year-old private-school student, who is doing a part-time degree in sports and exercise science, will address that weak point when she resume training after a week's break.

She said: "I need to improve if I want to win another title at the World Championships in October.

"I have two bronze medals from the last two South-east Asia Games in 2003 and 2005, and I would like to get at least a silver in the SEA Games in December."

Nur Zulaikha Zakaria won a gold for Singapore in the World Junior Championships, which are being run alongside the Singapore Open.

She beat Malaysia's Ain Syazawanie Abdul Razak to win the 60-63kg class.

Singapore exponents also took six golds at the Pre-Junior International Championship for those 12-14.

A total of 320 exponents from 13 countries are taking part in the three competitions.