Over the past decade, Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie has emerged as a leading figure in the academic transformation of Silat Malaysia, blending tradition with modern sports science and pedagogy. Through his leadership in PASSMAL (The Malaysian Team of Original Silat Malaya), Dr. Shapie has pioneered research, curriculum development, and international collaborations that have elevated Silat from a cultural practice to a globally recognized martial art.
His journey began with a vision: to create a structured, safe, and inclusive martial arts education system rooted in Malay heritage. This vision materialized through the development of Silat Tempur, a combat sport tailored for children. Silat Tempur emphasizes discipline, agility, and respect, while ensuring safety and accessibility for young practitioners (Shapie et al., 2019). It has since become a flagship program under PASSMAL, with national and international competitions showcasing its effectiveness.
Dr. Shapie’s academic contributions span over 47 publications, including journal articles, book chapters, and coaching manuals. His work integrates sports science, psychology, and education, offering evidence-based approaches to training and athlete development. Notably, his research on plyometric training, activity profiles, and psychological readiness in Silat athletes has informed coaching strategies and performance optimization (Shapie et al., 2020).
In 2020, Dr. Shapie led the organization of the 9th IMACSSS International Conference in Putrajaya, held in conjunction with the 2nd Global Scientific Martial Arts and Cultural Congress (GSMACC). Despite the pandemic, the hybrid format allowed scholars and martial artists from around the world to participate virtually. The conference featured the First International Silat Tempur Invitational Championship, marking a historic moment for Silat education and youth sports (Swider, 2022).
Beyond academia, Dr. Shapie has played a key role in cultural diplomacy, representing Malaysia in global platforms such as UNESCO ICM and ACPES. His efforts have positioned Silat as an intangible cultural heritage and a tool for youth empowerment. Through PASSMAL, he continues to mentor coaches, develop curricula, and promote Silat as a vehicle for personal growth and community development.
The transformation of Silat education under Dr. Shapie’s leadership is not just about sport—it’s about identity, resilience, and innovation. His work ensures that Silat remains relevant in the 21st century, inspiring a new generation of practitioners, researchers, and educators.
References (APA 7th Style)
Shapie, M. N. M., Tumijan, W., Kusrin, J., Elias, M. S., & Abdullah, N. M. (2019). Silat Tempur: An overview of the children’s combat sports. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 19(1S), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.14589/ido.19.1S.9
Shapie, M. N. M., Nadzalan, A. M., Japilus, S. J. M., & Ramli, M. S. (Eds.). (2020). Global Scientific Martial Arts and Cultural Congress (GSMACC) and 9th IMACSSS International Conference 2020. Abstract Book. Putrajaya.
Swider, P. (2022). A scientific and martial arts event in a new pandemic situation; casus of one conference anno domini 2020. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 22(2), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.14589/ido.22.2.7
