KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi held the world largest gathering of silat practitioners for a new record in the Guinness World Records today.
The largest silat lesson record, participated by 12,393 silat exponents from all over the country at Stadium Merdeka here, has elevated the name of pencak silat in the world arena.
Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi successor, Dr Md Radzi Hanafi said his association took six years to bring the plan into fruition.
He said despite meeting various challenges during planning, he did not waver until it was successfully held today.
“We are proud with the achievement today as it showed silat is still relevant to our modern lifestyle.
“The success in the mammoth gathering of silat exponents seen at the event just now was attributed to the enthusiasm of teenagers and youths,” he told Bernama today.
In the effort to set a new record, Md Radzi said Guinness World Records had set various stringent conditions which he must fulfill.
Among them, all movements must be simultaneous for at least 30 minutes with traditional music played ‘live’.
The new record achievement was witnessed by Youth and Sports Minister who represented Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Khairy who is also UMNO Youth chief said the success is a symbol of the greatness of the Malays and the strength of the country.
“The success is not only for the association as it also honours seni silat, the Malays and the nation,” he said.
Meanwhile Guinness World Records official representative, Fortune Burke when met by Bernama said it was not easy to get one’s name into the world records.
“Actually it is very difficult to get a Guinness World Records title, as well as having a number of participants to take part in it and we even need to have a professional auditing company to very their numbers, that is how strict we are,” she said.
Apart from creating a world record, the achievement was timely in conjunction with the 2015 National Day celebration in two days’ time as well as the 50th anniversary of Silat Cekak. – BERNAMA