quote:

Silat Seni Gayong was founded by Dato Meor Abdul Rahman who came from a family of celebrated Muslim warriors. Although Seni Gayong was officially founded in 1963, the origin of this art traces itself back to the early 15th century. For centuries, in Malaysia, silat was taught exclusively to the Muslim Malays. The exponents of this art regard this system as a wholly combative art that is neither recreational nor sportive. The combative nature of Silat Seni Gayong is evinced in the word ?Gayong? which means using any elements in the surrounding area to deflect an oncoming attack. The word ?Silat? implies the application of systematic fighting techniques that stems from the lifestyle of the Muslim Malay people. Known as a fierce Muslim art of war in the Malay archipelago, in the 15th century, Silat was used extensively to keep treason and colonialism at bay. The ?pesilat? or one who practices silat begins and ends his practice by submitting to Allah Subhanawata?ala. He worships and fears none but Allah The Most Glorious One. Although the techniques used in Silat can be described as brutal and lethal, the ?pesilat? constantly prays to Allah Ta?ala to never accord him the opportunity to apply his knowledge. The ?pesilat? is never the aggressor but merely a defender. The ?pesilat? does not believe in violence and would never be the first to retaliate. As the ?pesilat? matures, his exercises are no longer physical but more spiritual and metaphysical. He begins to shy away from the rigors of physical movements but relegate most of his time to the worship of Allah Ta?ala. We hope that Muslim brothers and sisters and the children of Islam will take advantage of this art. Silat Seni Gayong does not and will never condone or associate itself with any form of terrorism and would allow his own life to be taken in defence of an innocent life. It?s an art that focuses in the deen of Islam and holds on to the rope of Allah Subhanahuwata?ala.

quote:

"In an effort to standardize Chinese martial arts, the People's Republic of China (PRC) established a national ranking system for masters, the Duan system. Officially commencing in 1997, there are nine levels of Duan. Currently, only four living masters have been recognized as the highest level, Ninth Duan. The youngest of which is Grandmaster Ma Xianda of Xian, China's old capital... ...Beyond his own family, Ma Xianda has also coached renowned international Wushu Champ Zhao Changjun and even taught Jet Li what would become one of Jet's favorite forms, Fanziquan... ...Ma Xianda was born in 1932 to a Muslim family who trace their martial arts roots back six generations. Since 9/11, Muslims have been so profiled, but it's easy to forget that there are many types of Muslims today. Chinese Muslims, or Hui, represent the largest minority of the largest population in the world. Originally from Hebei, Ma Xianda learned from his father Ma Fengtu and uncle Ma Yintu, both noted masters in their own right. Ma Fengtu was a general under famed warlord Feng Yuxiang. Ma Yingtu also produced Zhang Wenguang, another ninth Duan holder. Ma Xianda learned many traditional Wushu forms including Tongbei Pigua, Kaimen Baji, Ba Shan Fen, and Cuo Jiao and also studied western boxing, wrestling and fencing... In 1952, the first martial arts championship was held after the founding of the PRC in 1949. Ma captured the Lei Tai championship, a free fighting event where fighters knock each other off an elevated platform, defeating Tongbi master Deng Hongzhao and Cuo Jiao master Li Xuewen. He also took the Short Weapon Fighting Champion and the Wushu Performance Grand Champion. He won all this at the young of 19. The following year, Ma won the Huabei Short Weapon Tournament. This included competitors from Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia. Ma won every single bout. Ma went on to dedicate his life to the martial arts. After graduating from Hebei Teachers? College, he took a position at the Xian Physical Education College to teach Wushu, Boxing and fencing. He became a full professor there and taught for 30 years. Ma estimates that he has taught nearly 10,000 students, both Chinese and non-Chinese over his expansive career, including many national coaches and champions. Ma authored many books and papers on Wushu, including editing the Zhongguo Wushu Da Cidian (Chinese Wushu Encyclopedia) and earned many illustrious titles over his long career. Probably the most illustrious came in 1995 when he was recognized as one of China's Top Ten Professors of Chinese Martial Arts. In 1998, Ma was recognized as a Ninth Duan holder. In May of 2002, Ma turned 70 years old.

quote:

Ma Xianda has mastered scores of routines of different styles, including pigua, baji (eight directions), fanzi (turning) and plays with the sword and cudgel, many of which he has improved by increasing the load of exercise and serving more practical purposes according to the Ma Family Wushu principles. In fighting, he has laid down eight essential points from his own experience: 1) long-range hits; 2) cunning strokes; 3) cool-headedness; 4) timely retreats; 5) blows in rapid succession; 6) parries at close range; 7) cuts and swings; and 8) heavy force. When in action, he is said to "move like a thunderbolt and stand as firmly as a mountain." His movements are characterized by big amplitude, agility and exertion of force to the point and coordination between physical exercise with mental activities.