His martial arts journey began with Judo and continued through Kung Fu and Silat, leading him to the study of Silat Cimande Asli Tarikolot in Tarikolot, West Java.
He trained in Judo from childhood, reached Junior Black Belt level, and represented the British Judo Team in competitions across Europe and America. This early foundation gave him direct experience of balance, timing, pressure, and live martial engagement.
He later spent many years studying Kung Fu, developing as both practitioner and teacher. That training broadened his understanding of movement, structure, character, and long-term practice.
Over time, his search led him into Silat. He trained in Malaysian and Indonesian Silat, reached instructor level, and taught for many years before his work became centred on Silat Cimande Asli Tarikolot.
A decisive stage came when he travelled to Tarikolot, in the Caringin district of Bogor, West Java, and trained directly in the village environment from which this lineage is drawn. There he studied under Bapak Firdaus and received authorisation to teach Silat Cimande Asli.
The art he teaches is practical and close-range. Training develops footwork, evasion, striking, entries, limb control, off-balancing, locks, takedowns, sensitivity, timing, and the ability to respond under pressure.
Cimande is not only a set of fighting methods. It is practised with etiquette, restraint, respect for teachers and family, and care for how martial skill is used.
Today, Master Abdur Rahman teaches in the United Kingdom and is available for national and international seminar work. His teaching offers students the opportunity to encounter Silat as a living tradition, practical in application and rooted in its Indonesian source.