Hardcore training pays off

Yandina Silat Perisai Diri students.

Nicholas Falconer

HARDCORE all-weather training seems to have paid off for students of the martial art of Silat Perisai Diri.

The students of the Yandina school, who train outdoors throughout the year whatever the weather, recently returned from a successful trip to the world championships in Jakarta.

The team of 20, including 15 from the Coast, won eight medals: two gold, three silver and three bronze.

Coolum woman Phoebe Steer, who has been involved with Silat Perisai Diri for only a year, came home with a silver medal.

“My teacher gave me the opportunity to train really hard and go over there,” Phoebe said. “I was really scared but after four months of hardcore training with no intention of winning or anything – just doing it –coming home with a silver medal was amazing.”

Phoebe said Silat Perisai Diri had changed her life.

“I’m fitter, I’m stronger, I feel full of life.

“It’s also a way of life, like how you think about things – being more in tune with yourself and other people.”

Teacher Aubrey Daybell, who also won silver at the championships, said Silat Perisai Diri was a Malay-based martial art, based more on evasion than power.

Mr Daybell said the discipline was particularly suitable for women and small-framed people.

For more information, visit www.pdsunshine.com.au. Training nights are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm.