Silat Martial Arts Academy is an institution dedicated to preserving and growing the ancient art of pencak silat through education and tutelage. We offer a full curriculum where students can learn the art of pencak silat. It is our intent to teach you traditional pencak silat from all aspects that includes culture, self-defense, weapons, inner power, and the artistic aspect.
Each our our instructors have a minimum of 20 years experience in pencak silat. They travel to Indonesia regularly for training, conduct local seminars, perform pencak silat demonstrations, coached the US Silat Team to international silat competitions.
Instructors
Wona Sumantri, BS, MIS
Head Instructor
Wona Sumantri has been studying Pencak Silat for over 35 years and comes from a family of Pencak Silat practitioners. His native roots are of Sundanese ethnicity of West Java. He was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and raised in the USA. He was exposed to Pencak Silat through his father who trained in Cimande, a traditional West Javanese Pencak Silat. Over the years he has studied various Pencak Silat systems that includes Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri (ASBD), Bangau Putih, Cimande, Harimau Singgalang, Maung Lugay, Panca Sakti and currently Satria Fighting Arts (SFA) under Steven Benitez. Wona travels frequently to Indonesia and has an understanding of both Indonesian and American cultures.
His dedication and commitment to Pencak Silat over the years has led him to becoming head instructor ASBD USA branch (1996-2016), co-owner Silat Martial Arts Academy (2011-present), adjunct professor at American University, Washington, DC teaching an accredited Pencak Silat course (2011-2013), pioneered the establishment of the USA Pencak Silat Federation (2012) and the USA Regional Representative of SFA (2023 – present).
In addition to his role as the President of the USA Pencak Silat Federation, he currently trains and teaches SFA classes at the Silat Martial Arts Academy. He also performs demonstrations at various local events and conducts local and international seminars.
Richard Subaran
Senior Instructor
Kak Richard Subaran joined pencak silat Al-Azhar in 1985. He was one of the first Americans to join pencak silat Al-Azhar. He obtained his instructor level under a former Al-Azhar head instructors Kak Ocenk Basri and Kak Tonny Makmun. He coaches the US Silat Team and has helped the team win gold, silver, and bronze in international silat competitions. He had traveled to indonesia on multiple occasions and continues to train and hone his abilities with the intention of being a better instructor.
Rendy Sumantri, BS, MIS
Senior Instructor
Kak Rendy is the younger brother of Kak Wona Sumantri. He has studied pencak silat in Indonesia and obtained his instructor level with Kak Wona. Kak Rendy and Kak Wona have created a dynamic team that perform pencak silat regularly at demos in the Washington, DC area and teaches at the academy weekly. Rendy is the youngest of the active instructors but never ceases to dazzle onlookers by his agility and knowledge of pencak silat. He currently trains and teaches SFA and is a certified SFA instructor.