Abdul-Malik Ahmad
Head Instructor
Kak Abdul-Malik began his Pencak Silat journey at 15 and has dedicated over 30 years to mastering the art. He established the Virginia branch of Pencak Silat in 1999, imparting his knowledge to hundreds of students. His training took him to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, where he not only honed his skills but also achieved numerous first-place finishes in international martial arts competitions. A. Malik is particularly skilled in sparring and Jurus Tunggal, routinely engaging with fellow Silat practitioners and those from various martial arts disciplines.
Presently, A. Malik serves as the head coach of the USA Pencak Silat Federation’s national team. His expertise is globally recognized, evident in his role as an internationally certified Wasit/Jury (referee/judge), and his experience judging at three Pencak Silat World Championships. Notably, he was the first American to compete in these championships. His martial arts proficiency extends beyond Pencak Silat, where he holds a 7th-degree black belt (Red belt with 3 stripes). He’s received a black belt in Taekwondo, earned during his studies in Egypt, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and a green belt in Judo. In his brief foray into MMA (mixed martial arts), he boasts an undefeated record, showcasing his diverse and extensive martial arts capabilities.
A. Malik’s accomplishments include:
- Aug 2023 – First Place – US Capitol Classics (Traditional Forms)
- Mar 2023 – Tunggal Semi-finalist – Sarawak International Silat Championship – Sarawak, Malaysia
- Jan 2023 – 1st Place Forms – World Cup Championships – Herndon, Virginia
- Jan 2023 – 3rd Place Weapons – World Cup Championships – Herndon, Virginia
- Aug 2022 – 2nd Place – Festival Pencak Silat Seni Tradisi (Kebunraya Bogor, Indonesia)
- 2022 – 2nd Place – World Cup Open Martial Arts Tournament – Traditional forms
- 2021 – 2nd Place at the FUJI Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Baltimore, Maryland
- 2020 – Udemy Instructor for Training for Tanding – Silat Sparring course with over 600 registered students
- 2020 2nd Place – Atlanta Winter International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Purple Belt, Masters 3)
- 2020 – WCMAO Teachers, Instructors and Mentors Award.
- 2020 Second Place – World Cup Martial Arts Championships (Black Belt Forms)
- 2018 Wasit / Jury at 18th World Pencak Silat Championships in Singapore
- 2018 First Place – ERKC Championships (Black Belt Forms)
- 2018 First Place – World Hapmudo Tournament (Black Belt forms)
- 2018 World Tour Silat Training – 3 countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore (and with Vietnam coach)
- 2017 Silver Metal – Belgium Open Pencak Silat tournament (Tanding/Sparring)
- 2017 – Founder of Silat.net – World’s first online resource for Pencak Silat
- 2017 First Place – ERKC Championships (Black belt forms)
- 2017 Silver Medal – NAGA World Championships (Grappling)
- Oct 2012 Operation Octagon – 1st round winner MMA Match and “Knockout of the night” – Sterling, Virginia
- May 2012 Operation Octagon – 1st round winner MMA Match – Washington, DC
- 2012 World Pencak Silat Championship – Competitor (Tanding and Tunggal)
- 2010 World Pencak Silat Championship, Jakarta Indonesia (First American to ever to compete in a Pencak Silat world championship)
- 2009 – 2nd Place Winner – World Cup Open Martial Arts Tournament – Breaking
- 2008 Title Belt – World Champion Belt, Battle of Baltimore – Continuous Sparring
- 2008 Journey to Indonesia – 4 part series documenting Silat training in Indonesia.
Ammar Aftab
Kak Ammar has studied Silat for over 8 years. He has competed in multiple tournaments. He recently won bronze at an international Pencak Silat tournament in Singapore, 2nd place at the 2018 World Cup Tournament and competed in the Sarawak Open in 2023.
Sara Saleem
Kak Sara has studied Silat for over 7 years. She has competed in multiple tournaments international tournaments, including the Middle East Pencak Silat Championships, where she won silver in Tanding (fighting) and 3rd in Tunggal (forms)
Sarina Sheikh
Sarina, with over five years of dedicated Silat training, has an impressive record of participating in various Open tournaments. Her notable achievements include winning Silver medal at the 2023 AmeriKick International Tournament in New Jersey. She is currently a brown belt.
Hamza Ahmad
Kak Hamza has studied Silat for over 13 years. He has earned his black belt and has won numerous competitions. Hamza is a great instructor and is passionate about teaching younger students. He was on the Silat demo team and has participated in many Silat demonstrations. He recently won a bronze medal at an international Pencak Silat tournament in Belgium and 2nd place at the 2019 US Open.
Afrah Nirar
Kak Afrah has studied Silat for over 15 years. She has competed in multiple tournaments winning first place in forms. She recently competed in Singapore earning 2nd place (Silver) and 3rd place at the 2019 US Open. She has recently earned her 2nd degree Silat instructor belt.
Sakina Ahmad
Sakina has studied Silat and other martial arts for over 13 years under her father Kak Abdul-Malik Ahmad. She has earned her black belt in Pencak Silat and has competed in many regional tournaments, winning first or second place in almost all of the tournaments she attends. She recently won gold medals at international tournaments in Belgium and Singapore.