Kicking drugs through martial arts

World-renowned martial arts champion and actor Silvio Simac has it all mapped out.

"Children often perceive film stars as heroes and if I can somewhat inspire youngsters to keep off drugs through my films, then so be it," Mr Simac tells The Times, as he massages his muscle-pumped wrist.

Just minutes before, the 31-year old Simac was fixing his gaze on a wine bottle as a group of martial arts enthusiasts watched on. In one swift move, he hit the bottle top with such brute force by his palm that the bottle smashed from the bottom.

Mr Simac, fast earning a reputation as Hollywood's new action hero, was in Malta to give a series of martial arts seminars.

The Croatia-born actor was so impressed by the enthusiasm of the Maltese for martial arts that he decided to team up with local Kancho Adrian Axisa to promote the art for a good cause. The two have also roped in stuntman Wolfgang Raach and British actor Matthew Marsden who teamed up with Mr Simac on the upcoming film Dead or Alive.

Martial art is becoming increasingly popular across the world and could therefore provide a powerful educational vehicle to steer youngsters away from drugs, Mr Simac believes. In the UK a total of 3.7 million individuals are known to practise martial arts regularly, of whom, 80 per cent are under 16.

The plan is to create a governing body that will bring together all the different martial arts organisations in Malta, which will be preceded by a martial arts festival in March. Backed by insurance, it will be responsible for promoting health and safety, good coaching standards and education.

Being a black belt is not enough to teach martial arts - tutors need first aid and coaching qualifications, Mr Simac emphasises.

Ultimately, the aim is to fuel more interest in the different martial arts, as campaigning will also target schools.

"Martial arts teach you to never quit life's challenges. Martial arts have given me self-esteem and discipline and helped me overcome a lot of obstacles in life," Mr Simac explains.

He is aware that films often portray the violent and spectacular side of martial arts, unable to show the spirituality, discipline and the mood of the art. There are in fact more injuries in football and rugby than in martial arts.

"There is more to the art than gore, kicking and punching. You learn how to reduce the level of contact - how to fight and pull back."

It was the legendary speed of Bruce Lee that inspired Mr Simac as a child. His formal training in Taekwondo began at the age of 12 and his progress was swift. He soon became a fierce competitor, winning wherever he went. He became world gold medallist, British champion 14 times and European champion four times.

Mr Simac's steel-like body is the result of a strict fitness programme. His training regime consists of a workout of two-and-a-half hours a day, five times a week, split into a cardio session in the morning and weights in the afternoon and evening. He trains on an empty stomach in the morning, admitting that being lean doesn't always mean adopting healthy methods.

Still, he believes in the old adage of "you are what you eat". He avoids carbohydrates and piles on white meat, such as chicken and tuna, uses protein supplements and limits his alcohol intake to just once a week.

Two years ago, Mr Simac burst onto the TV scene as one of the stars of Masters of Combat, a revolutionary BBC2 game show based on martial arts. He subsequently landed roles in films alongside reputed names like Jet Li, Luc Besson, Bob Hoskins and Lennox Lewis.

He is averse to being called the next Jean Claude Van Damme, even if his films so far have won him worldwide recognition. The film industry is very fluid and it's therefore important not to set targets, he says.

Is there an expiry in this line of business?

"No, there isn't," is Mr Simac's instant reply.

"Though fitness levels naturally go down, the technique will remain. I worked alongside Jackie Chan - that man is in his 50s and he puts most of us to shame."