The First Latvian

           Janis Mortuzans lives and work in Limerick. Married with three children and working as casual worker in a construction company. Janis joins Silat Seni Gayong in Jan 2010. Before joining Silat Seni Gayong he had tried many martial arts and some of the art he learned from video. At the age of 47, his enthusiastic in martial arts brings him to Silat Seni Gayong. Since then he has been a very persistent, consistent and committed students.  After a year training he was tested to the next level of Silat Seni Gayong. The grading was conducted on Jan 30, 2011. I was supposed to conduct the test. Due to unexpected schedule I was unable to do so. I asked Cikgu Anuar to handle the belt grading. On the day of the grading I instructed Cikgu Anuar to air the grading live for me to view. And that suggestion makes Janis nervous. Earlier he was confident with the coming grading. Upon finding out that I am going to view live on the event suddenly he felt restless. This is the first time a grading was conducted and view through tele-communications technologies. The rapid development of technology should be used accordingly. 

Consult Permission , The Custom Way

Seeking Permission, The Custom Way

Respectful The Custom Way

           Although he is nervous but he manage to passed the test with flying colours. There are a few comments that I made after the test, through net-conferencing with him. He has to develop his skill in the art of “pentas” (the art of un-grappling) and to improve more on the section. Overall for his development in silat I was quite impressed. This may be due to his high spirit to dig the knowledge. He was congratulate by others members on his achievement. And the ceremony of presenting him the “ bengkong awan putih” ( white belt) was done on Feb 27, 2011. In the ceremony they were shown the custom and culture of Silat Seni Gayong . They were very excited on our culture. After the ceremony he was very honour and very proud and he make a statement that this is the first of its kind, touched of the ceremony and the first certificate received ever in his involvement in martial arts.  

Janis Receiving The  Belt , The Custom Way

Janis And Me

Janis With Cikgu Anuar

Historical Moments

           As a Latvian who found a living at Ireland and a strong feeling of digging the knowledge of Silat Seni Gayong, I was hoping he will represent Silat Seni Gayong in his own country Latvia someday. We hope with all the knowledge we had and willing to share will be a bridge for him to pursue his dream of having a Silat Seni Gayong class. Janis Mortuzans are the first Latvian that learned Silat Seni Gayong and been awarded a white belt upon fulfilling all the conditions. The first Latvian to trained under me and under Cikgu Anuar personally. Congratulations Janis and hope your dream will come through in spreading Silat Seni Gayong in future. " Hidup Silat Seni Gayong ".