KUALA LUMPUR – A father’s advice is not mere chatter; it’s a mantra that propels us forward, helping us take the next step towards greatness.
This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the life of national silat exponent V. Thamaraj, who embraced his father’s wisdom: not to confine oneself to a single path but to stay open to learning and evolving.
This mindset ultimately led him to become the first Malaysian Indian to clinch the World Pencak Silat Championship title.
The 28-year-old athlete from Kulim, Kedah shattered long-standing stereotypes, proving that silat in Malaysia is not reserved for the Malay community alone.
By mastering this ancient martial art of the Nusantara archipelago, he triumphed over Uzbekistan’s Diyorbek Khudoyberdiev in the men’s open category (over 110kg) at the World Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, securing the gold medal on December 22.
Thamaraj’s monumental victory has not only earned him a place in history but also a promotion from corporal to sergeant in the Royal Military Police Corps (KPTD), effective January 2.
Speaking exclusively to Scoop, Thamaraj, who began his journey as a taekwondo exponent in his youth, shared that his father, Vasudevan, has always advised him to stay humble and remain open to learning. This mindset, he believes, is key to excelling in life and standing out as one in a million.
Although silat is closely associated with the Malay community here, his father encouraged him to embrace the cultural practices of other communities, believing that such an approach fosters respect and unity – the very essence of Malaysia’s strength.
“I’m nothing without my appa (father)’s support, as he built me into who I am today. He has never been an obstacle for me and has always told me to mingle with people from different races and cultures and learn their way of life.
“Growing up in Kulim and later in Sg Petani, I was surrounded by my appa’s passion for martial arts, his expertise in kalaripayattu, taekwondo, and karate. This shaped him into becoming an officer in KPTD, and I remember very well, when I was around 12 or 13, I had already decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps – not just as an officer, but as a martial artist like him.
“Appa always told me I should make the family proud by not limiting myself in whatever I do in life. That’s why I took the initiative to learn silat by joining my Malay friends in the area.
“Over more than 10 years, I spent time mastering the art form, applying the foundations I learned from taekwondo to help me along the way.
“My Malay friends and my silat masters never treated me as an outsider. They welcomed me like family, teaching me everything with patience and care.
“I’m so happy I followed my appa’s advice. It has made me a world champion. The moment I saw the joy in my parents’ eyes when they realised I had won, I knew I had made them proud. I pledge to continue following their advice and achieve even more success in the years to come.”
At the same time, Thamaraj expressed that through his victory, he hopes to inspire more non-Malays to take up silat and break the stereotypes that often surround the sport. He believes this will not only elevate the art form but also bring more pride to the nation.
“Silat is one of the finest art forms out there. It has taught me discipline, respect, and the importance of being well-mannered in society. This achievement shouldn’t stop with me; I want to see more non-Malays taking up the sport.
“We already have athletes from Sabah and Sarawak, but it would be great to see more from the peninsular side of the country. It’s time for us to step outside our comfort zones, break stereotypes, and bring pride to the nation we all love.”
The 20th edition of the World Pencak Silat Championship saw Malaysia return home with a total of six gold, nine silver, and four bronze medals.
The national junior squad also brought home five gold, four silver, and four bronze medals. – December 26, 2024
