Modern Combat Masters GM Darrell Sarjeant & Restita DeJesus

He has trained in martial arts at a young age (9yrs. old) from his father, in which he was trained in Arnis, Kempo, Hapkido, Chinese Gung-Fu, and Western Boxing.

Joel Champ is a senior instructor for United States Gayong Federation. He has trained directly under Cikgu Sheikh Shamsuddin Salim since 1996, and is highest ranked non-malay in America.

 

Ranked Berkong Hitam 3 (3^rd degree Black Belt Instructor level) and holds the title of Kalifa Muda (young leader) given by the daughter of the Late Mahaguru, the late Cikgu Siti Kalsom in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia. 

 

Cikgu Joel was also given the name “Singa Barat” (Lion of the West) by his teacher Cikgu Shamsuddin Salim, and together they have given numerous seminars and demonstrations throughout the United States. 

 

Cikgu Joel has written various articles on Silat that have appeared in Inside Kung-Fu magazine and Seni Beladiri magazine. 

 

Cikgu Joel Champ has traveled to Malaysia for additional training in Silat Seni Gayong and learned from other Senior Instructors including Cikgu Majid, Cikgu Kahar, Cikgu Jazwan, Cikgu Siti Kalsom, and Cikgu Mat. Cikgu Joel was adopted as a “son” by the late Siti Kalsom in 2005 during a ceremony in which he was given authorization to spread Silat Seni Gayong in America. 

 

Cikgu Joel was the featured main character in National Geopraphic Asia’s award winning Fight Masters:Silat program, and also appeared in his teachers book, Silat Seni Gayong: Malay art of self-defense.  He is also a US Navy Veteran (Military Police)