Authorized Instructors Notice
In accordance with the principles of Adat and Hormat, and in preservation of the integrity, lineage, and traditions of the Sera system, the following individuals are the only recognized and authorized Gurus under Pentjak Silat USA (PSUSA).
Any individual not listed herein who claims to represent, teach, or hold authority within PSUSA, or who associates themselves with the lineages of KnustGraichen, Terlinden, or Maurice de Thouars, does so without authorization and is not recognized by this organization.
Our beloved late co-founder
Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen
Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen holds the following titles and ranks through direct lineage recognition:
Lineage & Training
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Guru under Bapak Guru Besar Rudy ter Linden (Pentjak Silat) [Oom Rudy] — 1967–1990
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Guru (Black Belt) in Pentjak ADE — 1975
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Pendita Guru Tua (awarded full Guru status in all Rudy ter Linden systems) — 1990
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Guru under Bapak Guru Besar Maurice de Thouars (Pentjak Silat Serak) [Oom Maurice] — 1999–2012
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Guru in Pentjak Silat Pukulan Pak Serak — 1999
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Title of Heir and Successor to Pentjak Silat Pukulan Pak Serak from Maurice de Thouars — 2004
Additional Instruction & Titles
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Chief Instructor under Guru Benjamin T. Largusa (Kali) — 1978–1989
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Guru Pangulo (Chief Instructor), Villabrille-Largusa System — 1990
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Title of Sigung from Willem de Thouars (Kun Tao Silat) — 1990–2012
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Sigung/Guru in Kun Lun Pai Kun Tao from Willem de Thouars — 1990
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Sigung/Guru Dalam (Teacher of Soft Style), Kun Lun Pai Kun Tao — 1996
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Title of Guru from Bapak Guru Besar James Ingram (Mustika Kwe Tang) — 1990–2000
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Teacher under Tulku Orgyen Zangpo Rinpoche (Tibetan Tsa Lung Tai Chi)
Recognitions
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Sir Donald Kessing (Pencak Silat Mande Muda) — 7th Degree Black Sash — 1999–2012
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Adolf de Vries (Pukulan Serak) — 7th Degree Black Sash — 1999–2012
Co-Founder
Guru Besar Hans KnustGraichen
Guru Besar Hans KnustGraichen serves as the West Coast Director of Pentjak Silat USA (PSUSA). He conducts classes in the Los Angeles area at the Triton Gym in Redondo Beach, California.
Training & Lineage
Guru Besar Hans KnustGraichen has received direct instruction in the following systems:
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Ter Linden Style — under Bapak Guru Besar Rudy ter Linden
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Pentjak Silat Pukulan Pak Serak — under Bapak Guru Besar Maurice de Thouars
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Pukulan Sera — under Bapak Guru Besar Dolf de Vries
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Babo Arnis — under Grand Master Narrie Babao
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Pentjak Silat USA — under Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen
Additional Training
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Marksmanship and Combat Handgun Training — under Ben Rosen, Green Beret Special Operations Tactics and Firearms Expert
Honorable Mention
Professor Mark Harrell
Co -founder of IPSF/PSUSA and founder of HAMA Jalan and the MAI / KLA organizations.
Like iron sharpening iron. Professor Mark and Dr. Andre were very close friends and brothers in the arts who worked together to develop themselves and their arts to very high levels of skill and knowledge. We hold Professor Mark as one of our honored GM in the IPSF/PSUA Family since his retirement. He is a respected advisor to IPSF/PSUSA who is always ready to advise and consult with our active teachers and leaders
East Cost Director
Guru Besar Dr. Scott Sobel
Guru Besar Dr. Scott Sobel serves as the East Coast Director of Pentjak Silat USA (PSUSA) and as the East Coast representative of Aikido of Hawaii International (AHI).
Background & Early Training
While cross-training in Karate and Tae Kwon Do in 1988, Guru Sobel began training in Aikido, where he was drawn to its principles of using an opponent’s energy against them.
Introduction to Pentjak Silat
In 1991, he traveled to California to attend chiropractic school, where he met Bapak Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen. Recognizing the depth and completeness of Dr. Andre’s system, after a few years he became a direct student, beginning his path in Pentjak Silat Serak.
Development & Teaching
In 1995, Guru Sobel returned to Maryland and continued his training in Aikido while beginning to teach Pentjak Silat Serak.
In 2001, he co-founded the Academy of Traditional Asian Fighting Arts (Baltimore, MD), which continues to offer instruction in Aikikai Aikido and Pentjak Silat Serak.
Director and Head of
Pentjak Silat Pukulan Ratu Adil USA
Guru Tua JimBrown RRT
Guru Tua Jim Brown began training in August of 1994 under Guru Besar Hans KnustGraichen, training three to four days per week. Later that same year, he began training with Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen, who would travel to teach on a regular basis.
Progression & Recognition
In 1997, he was recognized as Guru Muda under Guru Besar Hans KnustGraichen.
In 2000, he began training directly under Guru Besar Frank Den Daas in Pentjak Silat Pukulan Ratu Adil.
In February of 2003, at a seminar with Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen, Guru Besar Hans KnustGraichen, Guru Besar Frank Den Daas, and Guru Besar Fred Durant, he received full Guru recognition within Pentjak Silat USA.
Following this, he received special recognition from Guru Besar Frank Den Daas within the Pentjak Silat Pukulan Ratu Adil lineage, authorizing him to teach the full systems of PSUSA and PSRA.
Lineage Confirmation
In 2004, Bapak Guru Besar Maurice de Thouars conducted testing and seminar instruction in San Jose, California. At that time, Guru Jim Brown was awarded the rank of Guru within the Pukulan Pentjak Silat Pak Serak system and formally recognized within the Maurice de Thouars lineage.
In February of 2018, Guru Besar Frank Den Daas appointed Guru Jim Brown as his successor and lineage holder within Pentjak Silat Pukulan Ratu Adil under the Rudy ter Linden lineage.
Current Position
In 2020, following the passing of Guru Besar Frank Den Daas, Guru Tua Jim Brown assumed the role of Head of Pentjak Silat Pukulan Ratu Adil USA.