Joel Champ Bio

Joel asked my to clarify a couple of things. With the upcoming Silat show, he has done some interviews and some information may have gotten a little lost in translation!

• Joel Champ is currently a Master-at-Arms in the United States Navy. He does military police work for the Navy.
• Joel is currently ranked 3rd degree Black Belt in Silat Seni Gayong. Joel is the highest ranking student of Gayong in the United States.
• He holds the title of Khalifah Muda (young Califh) and is nicknamed Singa Barat (lion of the West.)
• Joel has trained in Silat Seni Gayong under Cikgu Sheikh Shamsuddin (Sam) for over 13 years. He has traveled to Malaysia and trained with many Cikgu there.
• He was adopted by Cikgu Siti Kalsom in 2005 as her son.
• Joel has written many articles on Silat for Seni Beladiri Magazine and Black Belt Magazine, and has given many seminars on Silat with Cikgu Sam and USGF.
• Recently starred in the upcoming National Geographic show Fight Masters: Silat. (Scheduled to air in Malaysia 31, August, 2009)