It was 1992 at a Pencak Silat World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia when André Mewis stepped on the mat against facing his final opponent. His flashy style combined with solid technique, strength and speed had already made him a crowd favorite. Yet, 4 years ago (1987) In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he had to settle for Silver due to an injury. By winning this last match he would be the first German to ever win a Gold medal in Pencak Silat.
When it comes to martial arts, it is difficult to beat the natives. Up until the 2020 Olympic games, South Korea had an unbroken record of Olympic gold medals for taekwondo. Japan topped the table with the most Medals in Karate. Similarly, in Pencak Silat, Indonesia has repeatedly won the most medals, with Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore vying for the spot. When a non-native wins a gold medal, it’s quite an accomplishment, but also a testament to the dedication and growth of the sport beyond its native country.
Before the competition in Jakarta, André had been training for some time with the German Pencak Silat national team. He became interested in martial arts at the age of 14, first with Kungfu. However he became bored with some of the Kung Fu movements, so he switched to Pencak Silat. “Silat has the grace of beautiful artistic movements and dangerous techniques like dropping the opponent” Andre recalls. “In Silat was more than only forms with empty hands, there were weapons, sparring (Tanding), self-defense and it was different from Kung-Fu. I had an open mindset and gave Silat, as a new unknown martial art, the chance… and I fell in love!”
In 1990 and 1991 Andrè trained both in Karate and Pencak Silat in order to prepare himself optimally. André gained his experience and expanded his techniques over time, without losing sight of his goal: the Pencak Silat World Championship. He won the Terbuka Tournament in Malaysia in 1990 and in 1991, he won the Gold at the Dutch Pencak Silat Tournament.
Although Germany had never had a Gold medalist in Pencak Silat, there were other European countries that succeeded in winning Gold. During the late 80’s, there were two Pencak Silat World Championships that were held in Europe: 1986 in Vienna, Austria and 1990 in The Hague, Netherlands. Organizers hoped that if the World Championships were held in Europe, it would help promote the art outside of South-East Asia. Unfortunately due to the distance some South East Asian competitors were not able to attend and more Europeans were able advance in the competition.
This time however, André was competing in Jakarta, the heart of the Silat world, in a packed stadium, and the competition also was being televised. Because of his outstanding performance and impeccable techniques, André was in the final battle for the world title in 1992. For the third time, he was in the final battle for the world title. He faced his former opponent Zakaria Said from Indonesia in the semi-finals, and managed to win. He was able to win the decision when his opponent from Singapore ceased to continue in the 3rd round and for the first time in history, won a Gold medal for Germany. To this date, no other German has since been able to win a Gold medal at a Pencak Silat World Championship.
Motivated by his win and experience gained in Pencak Silat competitions, he later became a professional fighter, competing in Japan (Seidokan/K-1), in China (Sanda-One by Wu Lin Feng) and as a pro-boxer with 15 bouts. He became the 1997 World Champion in full-contact Karate (WICKO) and the 2007 World Kickboxing Champion (WKA). Andy Hug, considered one the greatest kickboxers of all time, brought Andre along as he competed internationally. Andre also traveled through Asia (Indonesia, Japan, the People’s Republic of China, Singapore and Thailand) for years learning and teaching martial arts. Back in Germany, he toured with the Shaolin Monks and the Night of Martial Arts program through Germany. When they offered him their warehouse with props and weapons as a dojo, he grabbed it immediately. Thus he opened his first own dojo in Berlin-Charlottenburg.
Despite his talent in various martial arts, André continues to keep a strong connection with Pencak Silat. He currently runs two martial arts schools and has coached athletes who also competed in World Pencak Silat tournaments. Marie Mouroum was one of four female students he brought to Singapore in 2007 for the Junior-World Championships. All four won Gold medals. In the 2019 Belgium Open, one of Andre’s students, Tara Talay won the best female athlete.
Andre also is a certified international wasit (referee) for Pencak Silat and was a referee at many Pencak Silat tournaments as well as full-contact Pencak Silat bout One Silat. He is also the head of the Technical Council for the European Pencak Silat Federation and President of the German Pencak Silat Federation. “Silat gives me a big international family!” Andre acknowledges.
He said jokingly, “I love when Indonesian fighters smile at you and in the next second of the fight they want to kill you!”
André currently lives with his wife Suellen and son Moisés, and manages martial arts schools in Berlin, Germany.
