” A WARRIOR who lives for WAR! “

The literal translation for Wirayudha is “Wira” means “WARRIOR” and “Yudha” means “WAR”

The philosophy of Wirayudha Pencak Silat means… “A WARRIOR who lives for WAR”

Wirayudha Pencak Silat is a traditional Martial Art from the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. Wirayudha is the family style of Guru Eka Aris Suhartanto (Aris), with techniques passed down from generation to generation. Wirayudha is a well-rounded and complete traditional martial art with its roots grounded in Indonesian history, warfare and tradition. The Wirayudha style of Pencak Silat has been adapted over many years to include traditional and modern day fighting techniques to suit the ‘real life’ fighting situations of today.

Guru Aris has trained Pencak Silat for over 25 years and has also trained around 15 other styles of Pencak Silat, in which he has incorporated the best techniques into Wirayudha Pencak Silat. Wirayudha teaches speed, agility and adaptability with no set Jurus (like Kata in Karate). Basic techniques are mastered through the art form to improve reflexes and develop muscle memory, before teaching the applications of these techniques.

Wirayudha is highly versatile and adaptable to suit different types of opponents, different battlefields and many different situations through the use of highly technical applications. Basic applications can be applied in many different creative variations, with cross-over between each element of the Wirayudha system. Wirayudha teaches speed, agility and adaptability with no set Jurus (like Kata in Karate). Basic techniques are mastered through the art form to improve reflexes and develop muscle memory, before teaching the applications of these techniques.

Wirayudha Pencak Silat combines multiple attacks using all limbs and includes take down techniques, locks and holds rendering the opponent immobile while keeping two feet on the ground. The self-defence aspect includes how to defend against armed opponents, disarming techniques and the use of weapons for life and death situations. The spiritual element of Pencak Silat offers techniques to help balance your mind, body and spirit.

Grading & Belt System

Wirayudha Pencak Silat has a grading system, with the Black Belt being the first belt achieved. The belts get lighter in colour with experience due to the spiritual aspect in Wirayudha Pencak Silat, with White Belt being the last belt awarded. Online training is available up until Orange Belt (Small Belt) level, with gradings being facilitated by Video Conference. Guru Aris can grade up to a White Belt level, with Lee Edmondson able to grade up to Orange Belt (Small Belt).

Eka Aris Suhartanto

Guru Eka Aris Suhartanto (Aris) is the founder of Wirayudha Pencak Silat and is based in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. Aris has practiced the art of Pencak Silat since 1996 and over the past 25 years, has been exposed to many different styles of Silat. Aris is a School Teacher by day and has his own Wirayudha Pencak Silat School in Yogyakarta, with many dedicated students.

His teachings include the sports element of Pencak Silat for competition, the art form incorporating the application of locking and take-down techniques, weapons training and self-defence for women. His teachings also include the spiritual aspect and pursuit for a higher level of consciousness. He regularly acts as a Consultant for some of the Indonesian Special Forces, Armed Forces and Police and has close ties with many international industry bodies for Pencak Silat.

Aris has documented many of his teachings in the form of Pencak Silat training videos and is a talented photographer, enabling a life-long learning experience and a momento that can be shared for many years to come.

Lee Edmondson

Lee Edmondson is the Apprentice of Guru Eka Aris Suhartanto (Aris), is an Orange Belt in Wirayudha Pencak Silat style under the direction of Guru Aris and can grade up to this level.

Lee is a Black Belt in Muay Thai, a 20 year martial arts practitioner and taught Pencak Silat at IGOR MMA in Bondi Junction, Sydney Australia for a period of 2 years before re-locating to the Gold Coast QLD around 3 years ago. Lee now trains Pencak Silat and Martial Arts for sports and competition and self-defence on the Gold Coast QLD. Lee has been trained and competed in Australia and Asia, including Indonesia and Thailand.

Lee represented Australia in the 17th Pencak Silat World Championships, on 2-9 December 2016 in Bali, Indonesia. ​For 3 years in concession, Lee received a Silver Medal in Tanding (Fighting) in the under 65kg division at the Australian Pencak Silat Federation (APSF) National Titles and was a Dual Medal Winner in 2016, after receiving a Bronze Medal for Individual Art Form including weaponry. Lee also recently received a Silver Medal in the 2019 National Titles in the 35+ Year Tanding Category. Lee has had various fight successes in Australia, Indonesia and Thailand and regularly competes at an international and national level.