Thursday, September 30, 2010

University SAVATE - FISU magazine 2010, No. 79

Source: Pages 18 +19 - FISU magazine 2010, No. 79
http://www.fisu.net/medias/fichiers/mag_79.pdf

Savate, also called French boxing, is a martial art using both hands and feet. In a competition, it is practised in various forms: in combat powerful blows are authorized, but in the ‘assault’form any rough contact is prohibited. The latter option was chosen for the first World University Championships in Nantes, France.
The boxers, wearing special gloves and slippers, are judged on their mastery of techniques and tactics, and on the precision of their hits. There are three 90-second rounds and 12 categories: 6 for women and 6 for men.
For this groundbreaking edition, there is no doubt that the Organizing Committee in Nantes reached the objectives that it could control – in any case, so says our technical delegate for savate Mr. Alexandre Walnier.
Good quality infrastructures, accommodations, meals, communication with a warm touch – everything was there. We might add that Nantes put the Beaulieu Sports Palace at the disposal of the participants with room for “6 rings” and seating for 5,000. For accommodations, our athletes stayed at the University dorms. Launching the first edition of a World University
Championship in Savate – a new discipline that had just joined the FISU program in the Executive Committee meeting in Harbin, China in 2008 – was quite a challenge.

After gaining the backing of many partners, the organizers offered an example of perfect organization and availability before, during and after the championships. They were aided by a group of excellent judges and umpires chosen by the international Savate Federation under an agreement between FISU and FISav.
Some aspects recognized by all (like the issue of visas), reduced representation. All parties (Organizing Committee, FISU , FISav…) had hoped for a few more delegations.
The eliminating rounds showed a highaverage skill; the semi-finals and finals were excellent. Some of the University finals reached world level (worthy of the FISav championships).
France came out the victor of the tournament with 12 medals (including 9 in gold), ahead of Slovenia (5), Serbia(4), Algeria (3), Italy (3), Russia (2), Germany (1), Belgium (1), Colombia (1) and Mexico (1).
All of the participants were extremely enthusiastic. Very few dropped out during the 2 full-day tournament that meant many matches for the athletes. The many positive effects went well beyond the championships themselves.
The national Savate federations realized that, in many countries, the sport has a lot of sleeping potential in student circles. Many students practise Savate enthusiastically and have joined the national associations. In addition, many Savate clubs are present in University sports centres. The directors know each other, but weren’t aware of the real situation in University sports.
The Fédération Internationale de Savate (FISav) has discovered the professionalism of FISU (management, organization) and its component bodies.
Learning this, realizing it and applying it are the steps that will make FISav and FISU effective partners for the 2nd edition of the WUC in 2012. FISU now knows that it can rely on major “relays” in Savate circles and that it will have strong, talented support for future editions. Finally, several National University Federations have signed partnership agreements with the National Savate Federations. The leaders are getting to know each other and to exchange ideas.
Rendez-vous at the next World University Savate Championships to be held in 2012 in Russia or in Italy (the decision will be made at the next Executive Committee).

AND PLEASE IF YOU SIGNED SOME KIND OF CONTRACT WITH YOUR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FEDERATION - PLEASE COMMENT THIS ON SAVATE BLOG - HERE. WE WILL INFORM OTHERS ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND OBTAIN THE SAME NEGOTIATION ACHIEVEMENTS. YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT TO REQUEST AND WHAT YOU CAN GET FROM YOUR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FEDERATION THAT YOU PROMOTE ON FISU SAVATE TOURNAMENTS.

Modibo and noble wear

http://www.noble-wear.fr

Savate in a French school Ljubljana, Slovenia

Savate federation Slovenia http://www.savate-zveza.si started with savate programs for kids actively in 2010. Mrs. Marina Dobnik - teacher of sport and instructor of french boxing savate presented this noble sport to Ecole Francaise in Ljubljana.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

London students compete at World University Championships

http://www.london-student.net/2010/09/15/london-students-compete-at-world-university-championships/

Students from across the world have been competing in the International University Sport Federation (FISU) World University Championships over the summer.

This competition brings together teams from around the globe to a variety of locations where they compete in sports ranging from Golf to Rugby, from Orienteering to Squash. Also included, unusually, are bridge and chess. FISU, the organising body, was officially formed in 1949 but its origin goes back to the 1920s when Frenchman Jean Petitjean organised the first ‘World Student Games’ in Paris in May 1923.

In 1959, FISU and the ISU agreed to participate in the games organised in Turin, Italy by CUSI, the Italian Student Sport Association. Ever since this important event, the FISU games continue to attract more and more participants from a growing number of countries and universities, with the 2010 championships on course to set new records. The University of London has been represented with distinction by a number of students, competing in events from Badminton to Taekwondo, and bringing home a haul of 8 medals, including 3 gold! Competitors travelled from London to locations around the world. FISU events occurred everywhere from Mongolia to Uganda, via Italy and Canada!

The competition is still ongoing, so we hope to bring you results as and when they happen. One of the first sports on the FISU calender was Cross Country, held in Kingston, Ontario, Canada on the 11th April. Jo Harvey and Jess Sparke, both of St Mary’s College brought home individual bronze and silver respectively and were key members of the British team that took the overall gold.

On the 13th, 14th and 15th of August, rowing teams gathered in Szeged, Hungary where London Universities were very well represented in the British teams. Medals were won by Laura Greenhalgh, of Imperial College, who took silver in the women’s pairs with teammate Andrea Dennis, Oxford Brookes. Leonora Kennedy and Zoe Lee, also of Imperial, triumphed in the women’s coxless fours, adding another gold to Britain and UoL’s already burgeoning collection. In men’s rowing, Stephen Feeney (QMUL) and cox Max Gander (UCL) were part of the “phenomenal” victorious 8s, pocketing yet another gold medal. Alex Gillies, of Imperial College was part of the coxless 4s team that finished 4th. The final medal won so far by a London student was a bronze in Savate, also known as French Kickboxing, won by Sian-Marie Clark who came in 3rd in the 55-60kg category. UoL was also represented in Karate by Alice Goudie of UCL and in Taekwondo by Dawud Izza of the SOAS, who travelled to Vigo, Spain to take part and finished in the last 16. We at London Student Sport are very much looking forward to future results, especially in Badminton, which will have been completed by the time of printing. Good luck to KCL’s Rachel Howard who is going to Chinese Taipei to compete!

Keep reading London Student for the latest results, reflections and reports from athletes from the FISU World University Championships.

Canne de combat and David

Canne Reunion - Nicole and her excellent competitors

8th of November 1986 - Canne de Combat - L'ANBF, Nantes, France

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Stipan PRTENJACA boxer, kickboxer, and once a year in savate



WAKO Junior and Cadets world championships 2010
Belgrad (Serbia)
19th of September to 26th of September 2010

LOW KICK discipline
LK juniors m -63,5 kg
1 Nemanja Glisic Serbia
2 RUSLAN SEKSENBAYE Kazakhstan
3 Shamil Gadzimusaev Russia
3 STIPAN PRTENJACA Croatia

FIS results - savate combat - european combat junior championship 2010:
60 - 65 kg
1) Stipan PRTENJACA (Croatie)
2) Anton BYKOV (Russie)
3) Miso GAJIC (Serbie)

BOXING professional: Rola El-Halabi (GERMANY) vs. Eva Santa Halasi (SERBIA)

EVA HALASI is in final combat savate 2010:
60-65kg : Cindy DEMARLE (FRA) vs Eva HALASI (SER)


Rola El-Halabi(GER) vs. Eva Santa Halasi (SER) @ Dodge Trophy 2008.
El-Halabi is european champion in boxing and Eva Santa Halasi world champion in kickboxing. El-halabi won by knock out in round 5, in a scheduled 6 rounder.

European Combat Finals 2010

Plans are well underway for the finals of the European Combat Championships. Finals will take place, between October and December, in Chatelleraut and Vandoeuvre in France, Genoa and Milan in Italy, St Paul in Reunion, and St Petersburg in Russia.

The full list of finalists is:

Men
  1. -56kg : Dimitri SUIRE (FRA) vs Antonio HORVATIC (CRO)
  2. 56-60kg : Hakim ABDELAOUI (FRA) vs Pedrag SIMUNEC (CRO)
  3. 60-65kg : Mobido DIARA (FRA) vs Umberto MUSSO (ITA)
  4. 65-70kg : Georgy FERNANTE (FRA) vs Miroslav TUSTIC (CRO)
  5. 70-75kg : Tony ANCELIN (FRA) vs Luca SACCO (ITA)
  6. 75-80kg : Ludovic CHEVALIER (FRA) vs Shamil GUSENOV (RUS)
  7. 80-85kg : Mike LAMBRET (FRA) vs Miloa GOLIC (MON)
  8. > 85kg : Fabrice AURIENG (FRA) vs Pavel LOBKOV (RUS)
Women
  1. -48kg : Ouided ABDELAZIZ (FRA) vs Sylvia LA NOTTE (ITA)
  2. 48-52kg : Hanna MOUTAHAMMISS (FRA) vs Valentina BALAZINEC (CRO)
  3. 52-56kg : Anissa MEKSEN (FRA) vs Manuela MASSARI (ITA)
  4. 56-60kg : Nizha SBAI (FRA) vs Marija KOSI (CRO)
  5. 60-65kg : Cindy DEMARLE (FRA) vs Eva HALASI (SER)
  6. 65-70kg : Jelena KUNIC (SER) vs Ksenija KOPREK (CRO)
  7. 70-75kg : Beauty ZAREBA (FRA) vs Jovana VUCIC (CRO)
  8. +75kg: ??????? ??????? (???) vs ??????? ???? (???)
Look at the Croatian woman categories -75 kg.
Unfortunatelly the next 8th category +75kg don't exist in combat savate - french boxing?

IS IT TIME TO MODIFY COMBAT - FRENCH BOXING SAVATE RULES?
AND MAKE CORRECT AND REGULAR INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REGISTRATIONS FOR FIGHTERS WITH FIXED CATEGORIES. (FIGHTERS PASSPORTS), (JUDGES PASSPORTS). IT IS TIME TO STOP IRRITATING NEW AND FRESH SAVATE TEAMS FROM KICKBOXING ORIENTED ONCE A YEAR ATTENDING AND NON EXISTING SO CALLED SAVATE FEDERATIONS. WE SHOULD BECOME PROMOTING AND AMATEUR FISav AND NOT ELITE CLUB FOR THAT KIND OF HALF PROFESSIONAL TEAMS.

President's Report - September 2010

I took up my role as President of FISav 3 years ago; you confirmed your trust in me 2 years ago at the General Assembly elections.
I presented you with very precise objectives of which the most important one was to obtain membership of SportAccord (AGFIS). Many of you asked why no membership request had been made in more than 10 years.


This project directed my strategy:
To be an inclusive president:
- To call upon the expertise of various people,
- To increase the number of member countries in FISav,

To improve communication about Savate :
- To get Savate discussed and above all make this sport known by the leadership of International sports bodies,

To show Savate practised on all the continents:
- To Show that Savate is not only a Franco-French sport,
- With Official Championships in many countries,
- To put forward the perspective of an amateur sport, practiced in all our championships and sharing the Olympic values,

To show a democratic, transparent and well-structured FISav:
- With independent confederations, organised and democratic
- With all countries having an equal positon at the FISav General Assembly
To show a sport sharing the Olympic values,
- Highlighting the significant number of women and children practising Savate,
- Putting forward the dimension of an amateur sport, notably shown by the practice of assaut and canne,
- Putting forward the protection of athletes (our Ethic),

We have therefore worked for success:

We have presented an International Savate Federation which has modified its statutes to increase democracy: 1 country = 1 vote (2 if it is a founder member). Today, no nation can remain with the status of provisional member for many years.

We have presented Savate for membership of FISU, with the candidacy prepared and proposed by France, but presented by Belgium to show more strength in Savate.

We have shown that the latest European and World Championships took place in Turkey, Serbia, Spain, France, Russia and Croatia for Savate; in France, Germany, Reunion Island and England (2010) for the Canne. I offer my greatest thanks to the sports leaders who took on the organization of these competitions, we all know that the official Championships, and especially the big tournaments require a lot of money, time and investment.

We have communicated on the values of our sport,

Because I know that this victory belongs to all of you, of all nations, because I know that every action carried out in the name of the Savate by all of you has built this victory, assured our independence, and protects us from the global multi-boxing federations, I say thank you to those that followed from the beginning in this objective. With a special thought, shared by you all, for our secretary Madam Vérone Glennys who worked a lot on this project and who left our federation in April. .

In 2010, Savate gained recognition; she is free and independent… which we must hold on to.



I did not stop with SportAccord :
- I have, from the first meetings of the FISav, stressed the importance of using the English language to allow many sports leaders to express their view points,
- For openness and transparency, I have opened up the Board meetings of FISav to the people in charge of the affiliated federations.
- I worked to modernize and make the Savate uniform more accessible, while keeping our identity through the integrale,
- I have worked to enable the top athletes to fight with more media coverage and to have a longer career in Savate with the advent of the Pro Savate.
- I have worked for the creation of a World Championship for under 18 years, knowing that the quality of this competition brings the future the Savate.
- I have worked for the establishment of Savate in China, the last big nation not affiliated with the FISav. This work has given us the opportunity to make contacts who are close to the Chinese organizers of the world Combat Games. Savate is a demonstration sport in the world Combat Games 2010 (September) in China. Male and female athletes will go to show that Savate is a discipline ready to take a full role in the next world Combat Games.
- I have supported, although not my first priority, the actions for Canne de combat. I encourage the leaders to organize international Competitions, because the development and the media coverage of the Canne will develop through the big tournaments of Canne de combat. I think that a World Championship every 4 years is not sufficient to develop the Canne de combat outside Europe (where there is a big international competition every 2 years).


My actions can be summarized in these key words: SportAccord, FISU, Democracy within FISav, Creation of the continental confederations, Savate Pro, Modification of the uniform, World Championship for the under 18 years, First University World Championship, World Combat Games and creation of the Chinese Federation of Savate.


Actions for the future:

At the time of my election, 2 years ago, I expressed my wish to improve the training of the judge-referees. I remain convinced that the judges and the referees are the showcase of our values and the quality of our sport. I want a revision, with a national and international classification, of the referees, in assaut and in combat.
The first World Championship for the under 18 years will be judged, not on the quality of the athletes, but on the quality of the referees. They build the future of Savate.
They have an immense responsibility at each competition: being protective of the health of the athletes, the respect of the rules and ethics of Savate, and being just in their decisions.
If we want to be a big sport, the refereeing and the judgement must be perfect.

We must work on the consolidation of our administration and we must evaluate the financial needs of FISav to face our new obligations:
- The new memberships of FISav generate an increase in expenditure and work. The World Anti-doping Agency (AMA), FISU, SportAccord represent considerable sums, for the membership fees, but also for the expenses to participate in the meetings,
- The secretariat of the FISav must be renewed,
I took the not decision to replace madam Vérone Glennys after her departure because we must decide together what FISav will be in the future.
The president must work in a atmosphere of confidence, and communicate easily (place, language…) with his secretariat. The latter may be in the same country as the president.
My position is that the headquarters of FISav must remain in France for some years more, but that the president should, from now, be able to choose the place of his secretariat.
We must consolidate our participation in FISU,
We must show, at the time of our participation in the next World Combat Games, a perfect organization proving that Savate is a big sport.
We must help the championships (Africa, Asia…etc.) to become self-sustaining
We must continue to create competitions in the form of big Tournaments (Mediterranean, Balkan, Baltic, games of the Isles, Championships of the Arab Nations…etc.)
All these actions form a part of our desire to obtain Olympic recognition, which in my opinion is our direction.

In conclusion, I hope I have served Savate, even if my time is limited by working to support my family. Your vote on my past action will guide me in my actions of the future.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Muay thai federation Bosnia and Herzegovina



http://www.muaythaibih.ba/

Eva Halasi (you remember her from once a year savate events)
Picture: She is in the right corner - bellow.

You remember her from boxing, kickboxing WAKO and now she is also in Muay thai IFMA.
Probably registered for 2010. YES, of course.

This time for Hungary, next time for Serbia.
Multicultural, multistyle and amateur/professional.

Savate Italy said - Good bye Falsone and WAKO-FIKB

http://www.fikb.it/it/NewsDetail.aspx?Ctn=84002

After bad promotion of savate in WAKO - FIKB - Italian kickboxing federation - Alfredo Lallo and savate clubs of Italy decided to leave this wonderful organisation and create new one.
Savate federation Italy called FISa. It is the old name of the old savate organisation (FIST).

On the Sportaccord meeting in Dubai 2010 - kickboxing and muay thai both probably voted against savate recognition. And maybe this was a reason of this move.
Similar things happen in every family when a partner betray his/her partner.
Love is a wonderful thing but it doesn't last forever, everybody knows...

Good luck to kickboxing sport which will probably stay as a FIKB and not FIKSB inside CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) as a provisonal sport. Experimental federation of Italian boxing federation.

TAMAS AJAN vice president of Sportaccord


dr Tamas Ajan

Tamas Ajan (born January 12, 1939) is the President of the International Weightlifting Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee.[1]

Dr. Ajan graduated from the Budapest University of Physical Education in 1964 with a Ph.D in physical education.[2] He had a varied career in the Department of Sports and Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, as well as a number of academic posts.

He has been the Secretary General of the Hungarian Olympic Committee since 1989. From 1975 to 2000 he was Secretary General of the International Weightlifting Federation, and has been the Federation's President since 2000. As President, he was elected to the IOC in 2000. He also serves as a council member of the World Anti-Doping Agency.[2]

He is also Vice President of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).[2]

In 2010 he received the Olympic Order on February 28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, this is awarded to individuals for particularly distinguished contribution to the Olympic Movement.[1]



HOW THIS THINGS WORK...


Source: WAKO website

The Hungarian team closed the 1st SportAccord Combat Games with great success in Beijing. During the press conference of the Hungarian National Confederation (NSSZ) dr. Tamas Ajan (in the picture) vice-president of SportAccord also congratulated for the results.
Dr. Janos Meszaros the vice-president of NSSZ and president of the Hungarian Karate Federation emphasized that this was a great achievement for the Hungarian team to get to Beijing and the results speak for themselves. According to dr. Richard Leyrer, president of the Hungarian Kickboxing Federation and vice-president of NSSZ the Chinese organized a fantastic world event and was happy that all seven kicboxers brought medals home.
Dr. Tamas Ajan, vice-president of SportAccord pointed out that there is a need for common world events of the different kind of sports. In connection with the sports outside the Olympics dr. Ajan said: "Budapest has a good chance to organize the Games in 2017.”
Our kickboxing fighters did really well because they got one gold, three silver and three bronze medals. Krisztian Jaroszkievicz (semi-contact 84 kgs) got the gold medal and this result can be considered as a historical event because this is the first Hungarian gold medal at the Combat Games. Gabor Gombos, Zsolt Moradi, and Gabor Gorbics got silver medals, Richard Veres, Tamas Imre and Barbara Szendrei got bronze medals.

Sports at the 1st SpotAccord Combat Games:
aikido (IAF), wrestling (FILA), judo (IJF), ju-jitsu (JJIF), karate (WKF),
kendo (FIK), kickboxing (WAKO), muaythai (IFMA), boxing (AIBA), sambo
(FIAS), sumo (IFS), taekwondo (WTF), wushu (IWUF).

OH ... AND WAKO AGAIN FORGOT SAVATE AS A DEMONSTRATION AND ALSO FUTURE COMBAT GAMES SPORTACCORD SPORT.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

WAKO new own equipment brand

http://www.wakogear.com/

Will we make it also the same in savate?




The employee’s of WAKO GEAR are proud to announce the grand opening of the new WAKO GEAR online store. Our sole mission is to supply WAKO, THEIR NATIONAL FEDERATIONS ,DARE members, athletes, friends And family with the highest quality of competition martial arts gear for what we think is the lowest pricing in the industry.
Ennio Falsoni and your federation presidents have waited over 30 years to associate their corporate logo with a brand of equipment that meets the high standards of their organization.
Recently WAKO entered into an agreement to help support children with D.A.R.E., a world organization whose sole mission is to improve the lives of children around the world. With the purchase of every product you, the athlete will be helping these kids get a better education, reduce the peer pressure they face every day, encourage these kids to get involved with sports and help reduce the temptation of using drugs.
Because we strongly support the mission of W.A.K.O. and D.A.R.E., WAKO GEAR is reducing the price of every product by 10% to help offset the cost of shipping to international and domestic destinations. By supporting the efforts of W.A.K.O., D.A.R.E. and your own federation you the athlete can now save as much as 30% of shipping cost when purchasing your organizations’ new product line.
“IF YOU FIGHT FOR WAKO YOU SHOULD BE FIGHTING IN WAKO GEAR”

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Jean-Marie Rousseau and Savate in China

lausanne_jmr_thumb.jpg










Source: http://fisavate.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=152&Itemid=28&lang=english

Written by Julie


Who are you?

It's a question that I ask myself everyday in as much as I have looked for myself for a long time without ever finding myself. I know only that, after 63 years of existence, I am not a being who is completely fulfilled, but that I still want to discover myself… For Savate, which is our subject, I am well aware that I entered into this world very late, really by chance, having been growning up in an athletic environment and having attempted in vain to shine in a lot of other sports during my studies.

In fact, it was in the university restaurant of the Bd Raspail of Paris that I came across a small poster announcing the start of a course by Michel Marlière, a teacher of Sports and Physical Education in the local universities, and also Jussieu. It was in this place, at the start of the 1970s that my passion for "French Boxing" (one no longer dared to say Savate at this time) began. I can also say that Savate has been one of the founding elements of my life.


How did you find yourself engaged in Savate?

"Engaged" is the right term because, from the start, I threw myself into the practice of Savate, not only as a participant in a sport, but subscribing body and soul. I never got far in the competitions, my biggest triumph having been a 'mediocre' victory in university championships. At the same time, I joined the French Federation (then affiliated to the French Federation of Judo and associated sports), practiced the Cane, and soon taught the two disciplines, before becoming Silver Glove, then Moniteur and next Professor and 'militant' in every way: notably I had launched a bimonthly newspaper, « Le Petit Boxeur Français Illustré », of which I was editor in chief (Frédéric Aymard was the Director of the Publication), under the patronage of Count Pierre Baruzy and under the protection of all the main players of the era, Bernard Plasait, Marc Kunstlé, Bob Alix, and supported by formidable champions like Guillaume, Paturel, Charmillon, Augais, and then Richard Sylla of course… Apologies to anyone that I forget, but who I admired no less!


Is Savate your job or your passion ?

I had planned to enter a significant occupation and I am not afraid to say that Savate allowed me to finance a part of my studies, as I was already a father of two children (I had five children who all did Savate and one of whom was champion of Belgium in 'Combat' last year). I taught at the Cité universitaire d’Antony (Croix de Berny), at Cachan and in the studio of the Stade Français in rue de Chazelle in Paris. Some years after entering into professional life, I resumed the teaching of Savate, in addition to my work at Tours, where I organized big international Savate tournaments (with my friends and students Robert Mander and Jean-Luc Stiévenard), that cost me a lot of money despite 3000 seat venues full to bursting point.

What do you think you have achieved in Savate ?

I understand the meaning of your question but the Anglicism of the word ‘achevé’ drives me to reply that I have never 'finished' anything, not even my more docile fighting partners. To reply more concretely to your question, I fulfilled some dreams, of which the most glorious was the creation of the International Savate Federation in 1985, under the honorary presidency of Count Pierre Baruzy and the instigation of the president of the French Federation of BF Savate, Pierre Gayraud. I was then vice president of this French Federation, with 'International' responsibilities and we had, together as a team of friends and colleagues, successfully undertaken this tremendous adventure in the company of a handful of other countries. I recently read that there were ten other member countries, among which I remember Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Senegal... I chaired this International Federation for three years, but had to abruptly interrupt my mandate following a move in my professional career to Rwanda in Africa. Nevertheless, in this short period of time, I had undertaken important missions in many countries, among which I particularly like to quote the United States. I went there several times, accompanied often by officials such as Michel Roger, but also by champions, male and female, who have made their mark in international Savate, such as Gilles Le Duigou, current president of the International Savate Federation, or Hubert Abella, assistant DTN who accompanied me last month in our mission to China.


What is your role in Savate today?

I came back to Savate as a spectator and supporter of my son Benoît, but a combination of circumstances has allowed me to come back to some temporary responsibilities. In quick succession this year, there was an invitation to participate in a strong delegation of FIS for recognition by the IOC (to meet Jacques Rogge) in Lausanne. My peers kindly had included me as a past-president and I am immensely grateful to them. In the aftermath, it was proposed to present the candidacy of Savate as a demonstration sport at the first World Combat Games in Peking, August 28th to September 5th 2010. The last minute admission of Savate to these SportAccord Championships in cooperation with Chinese authorities has not been easy. You can imagine for yourself how much it was necessary to argue, to sell, to implore, to obtain this place!


What do you think about the international development of the Savate?

I reply immediately that I appreciate and (why not) am grateful to the presidents that succeeded me, Alain Salomon, Michel Roger, Alexandre Walnier, Jean Houel, but especially with respect to the current president, my friend Gilles Le Duigou, for the work accomplished and the results attained. To go from eleven countries (were there even that many?) to sixty-six affiliated countries is already remarkable. To be able to organize international competitions each year in the three disciplines, Assaut, Combat and Canne, for male and female athletes, similarly for school and university students, in all weight categories, leaves me in complete admiration.


What are your future intention/ideas for Savate?

Plainly, because I cannot finish this interview without explaining why I came back to Savate and what motivates me again to return to this adventure, I will first remind you of my solidarity with all those that appreciate our values and have tasted the joys of our friendly sport.

The mission that I took to Peking last month with Joël Dhumez, vice President of the French Federation, and of some other federations, confederal and international (no less), with Hubert Abella, assistant DTN and the four tremendous Savate athletes (Mike Lambret, Tony Ancelin, Christelle Lambret, Cindy Demarle), formed part of the plan for international conquest by Savate.

Two very precise aims drove the team that went to Peking for the World Games. Working with the president Gilles Le Duigou and with the precious assistance of Julie Gabriel with regard to communication, we had set ourselves two principal objectives:

- On one hand the definite recognition of our sport Savate in the showcase of SportAccord, and

- On the other hand the introduction of Savate to China, the biggest sporting nation of the world since the 2008 Olympics.

We can consider today that these objectives are a good way towards achievement. They are begun and they must be confirmed, we must not be satisfied with half-open doors, but “convert them” as one says in rugby.

In Beijing, before the closing ceremony of the Games, the president of Sportaccord himself, Mr. Hein Verbruggen, granted the whole Savate delegation an interview during which he confirmed the participation of our sport in future Games. The same evening, we were invited to the closing ceremony of the Games and were received with words of welcome and encouragement by all official members of the SportAccord Combat Games.
The networks of the Centres Culturels Français and Alliances Françaises in China (a group of fifteen all over China), made aware by the delivery of documents (historic and cultural) through the cultural services of the French Embassy in Beijing, should be informed following our discussion with the Centre culturel français of Beijing, of the timeliness of offering courses in Savate.

On the Chinese side, the links already made, starting with the important Beijing Sports Competitions Administration Centre, and its Director, Mr Sean HAI (HAI Si Wen) have promised us the benefit of their support for our next projects or work with the officials of Chinese sport.

In addition, the Beijing Bokesen Sport Culture Development Company Ltd, a private sport organisation in China, has discussed a very promising project of cooperation. This corporation, together with the Chinese television CCTV and, the support of Chinese public authorities, proposed during the meeting of our delegation and its president, Mrs LIU XiaoHong, and its manager, Mr. ZHOU Jianjun, to prepare cooperative agreements to rapidly allow the participation of Savate in their national and international championships, with the suggestion to begin awareness and training seminars in Savate. Clearly, we are only at the beginning of such cooperation, but it indicates our will to win to our cause the big sporting nation of China. All this story of the meeting of cultures is ambitious and brings a provisional view on the future of Savate… a story in which I would like to play a role.

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jmr_1.jpg
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Saturday, September 18, 2010

Croatian Olympic Committee doesn't recognise savate sport


Nacionalni sportski savezi

All these years savate was recognised in Croatia as official sport. But after AGFIS/GAISF Sportaccord recognition in Dubai 2010 they were put out as some extraodrinary recreational activity.
And Savate federation Croatia doesn't care.
It is a funny situation when we think about Croatian savate as one of the few strongest and developed (leading) ones.

Source:
http://www.hoo.hr/1340-v-nacionalni-sportski-savezi.aspx

1 - Nacionalni sportski savezi olimpijskih sportova (olympic sports)

1. Hrvatski atletski savez
2. Hrvatski badmintonski savez
3. Hrvatski baseball savez
4. Hrvatski biatlonski savez
5. Hrvatski biciklisticki savez
6. Hrvatski bob i skeleton savez
7. Hrvatski boksacki savez
8. Hrvatski curling savez
9. Hrvatski dizacki savez
10. Hrvatski gimnasticki savez
11. Hrvatski hokejski savez
12. Hrvatski hrvacki savez
13.Hrvatski jedrilicarski savez
14. Hrvatski judo savez
15. Hrvatski kajakaski savez
16. Hrvatski klizacki savez
17. Hrvatski konjicki savez
18. Hrvatski kosarkaški savez
19. Hrvatski macevalacki savez
20. Hrvatski nogometni savez
21. Hrvatski odbojkaski savez u stečaju
22. Hrvatski plivacki savez
23. Hrvatski rukometni savez
24. Hrvatski sanjkaski savez
25. Hrvatski savez daljinskog plivanja
26. Hrvatski savez hokeja na ledu
27. Hrvatski savez za skokove u vodu
28. Hrvatski savez sinkroniziranog plivanja
29. Hrvatski skijaski savez
30. Hrvatski softball savez
31. Hrvatski stolnoteniski savez
32. Hrvatski strelicarsksi savez
33. Hrvatski streljacki savez
34. Hrvatski taekwondo savez
35. Hrvatski teniski savez
36. Hrvatski triatlon savez
37. Hrvatski vaterpolski savez
38. Hrvatski veslacki savez
39. Hrvatski savez za moderni pentatlon

2 - Nacionalni sportski savezi neolimpijskih sportova (non-olympic sports)

1. Hrvatski aikido savez
2. Hrvatski auto i karting savez
3. Hrvatski biljarski savez
4. Hrvatski bocarski savez
5. Hrvatski body building savez
6. Hrvatski bridge savez
7. Hrvatski karate savez
8. Hrvatski kickboxing savez
9. Hrvatski kriket savez
10. Hrvatski kuglacki savez
11. Hrvatski motociklisticki savez
12. Hrvatski orijentacijski savez
13. Hrvatski paraolimpijski odbor
14. Hrvatski planinarski savez
15. Hrvatski ragbijaski savez
16. Hrvatski rock''n''roll savez
17. Hrvatski ronilacki savez
18. Hrvatski savez sportske rekreacije "Sport za sve"
19. Hrvatski savez za skijanje na vodi
20. Hrvatski savez za sportski ribolov na moru
21. Hrvatski sportski plesni savez
22. Hrvatski squash savez
23. Hrvatski sahovski savez
24. Hrvatski sportski savez gluhih
25. Hrvatski sportsko ribolovni savez
26. Hrvatski savez tajlandskog boksa
27. Hrvatski zrakoplovni savez
28. Koturaljkaski savez Hrvatske
29. Motonauticki savez Hrvatske
30. Specijalna olimpijada Hrvatske
31. Hrvatski wushu savez

3 - Nacionalni sportski savezi sa statusom pridruženog člana (members observers)

1. Hrvatski galopski savez
2. Hrvatska golf udruga
3. Hrvatski kasacki savez
4. Hrvatski nanbudo institut
5. Hrvatski pikado savez
6. Hrvatski savate savez (Croatian savate federation)
7. Hrvatska federacija twirlinga
8. Jet ski savez Hrvatske

4 - Nacionalni sportski savez sa statusom privremenog člana (provisional members)

1. Hrvatski korfball savez

Mayor Letizia Moratti promotes sport in Milan, Italy

7:48

presentation of savate in Milan, Italy with mayor Letizia Moratti. You wish. There was no savate, only typical WAKO kickboxing sport called Muay Thai. IFMA?.



No savate in this report's gallery?
http://www.sportpadania.net/erty/go.asp?by=286

CUS Genoa, Italy and university sport savate





http://www.cusgenova.it/
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=144931502204401&ref=ts

Marco Costaguta on a meeting with president of CUS (University sports center) Genoa Mauro Nasciuti, regional leaders of Sport Gabriele Cascino, Giulio Torti and Stefano Anzalone included savate in CUS as a university sport (for the first time in Italy).
There was press conference on Monday 20th of september at 11:30 in Liguria, Piazza De Ferrari 1, Genoa, (Auditorium, 5th Floor).
Genoa is the oldest Italian center of savate - since 1900' s.



Source: http://www.savonanews.it/2010/09/16/leggi-notizia/argomenti/regione-notizie/articolo/regione-lundi-la-boxe-francese-savate-diventa-sport-universitario.html

http://www.cusgenova.it/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1299

http://www.cusgenova.it/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1317&Itemid=29

They talk about University savate world championship 2012 in Genoa, Italy. And we say. Yes. We want it.

Friday, September 17, 2010

AIBA boxing: Paris United WSB Team launch name and logo

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 - Switzerland, Lausanne

The logo of the Paris United WSB team

The logo of the Paris United WSB team

The city of Paris today announced its team name and logo for the World Series of Boxing (WSB). Paris United will be competing in the WSB European conference against teams from Milan, Istanbul and Moscow from November 2010.

Paris United CEO Brahim Asloum explained the thoughts behind the creation of the logo: " The logo includes two principal French symbols : the cock and the Eiffel Tower. The choice of the cock as a French symbol dates back to the collapse of the Roman Empire when the Gauls created their own territory. This symbol is used by most sport associations. And the Eiffel Tower, built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889, is the symbol of France choosing the path to modernity at the end of 19th Century. These symbols emphasize Paris United's boxing goal to present a team as a powerful sport union which brings some major changes".

Laure Iacono, Nantes, France prepares for a WC 2010

Criminal connected with Kickboxing in Amsterdam?

After this weekend's "It's Showtime" event there has been a lot of buzz about the event itself, including the fights and future fights for the winners and losers coming out of the show. A curveball was thrown on Wednesday when the Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan spoke out against martial arts events taking place in the city, citing the "undesirables" involved with the fight game, from the spectators to the fighters all the way up to managers and promoters.

Local law enforcement claims to have audited certain "VIPs" from the upcoming Ultimate Glory show being promoted by Golden Glory, as well as this past weekend's It's Showtime event, and found what they claim was an alarming amount, a majority, of the audited VIPs had past convictions ranging from drugs and weapons to violence and organized crime connections. This, of course, isn't the first we've heard this year about organized crime in Amsterdam, after discussion about Badr Hari and his dubious connections after his night club fighter earlier this year. So this isn't a shock.

Van der Laan is the new mayor of Amsterdam, so a newer elected official promising to clean up a city is nothing new, especially a city like Amsterdam whose noteriety spans the globe for their drug and prostitution policies.

We'll have to keep a close eye on this situation, as van der Laan is looking to outright ban these events from his city, and outside of Japan, the Netherlands is one of the true hotbeds for kickboxing, with Amsterdam being the capitol city outside of Tokyo.

Italian super savate seminar in Genoa 2010

If you have time, please call. 25th of Septemebr 2010 in Genoa, Italy.

Serbian assaut open tournament 2010



5th of September in Ruma, Vojvodina, Serbia.
87 competitors - 16 clubs and Savate club „Ruma“ organised this event.



Boys cadets:

- 48kg:

  1. Dragan Hajdukovic-“Ruma” Ruma
  2. Milan Rakita-“Jedinstvo” N.Becej

do 56kg:

  1. Vuk Vesic-”Ruma” Ruma
  2. Nikola Parac-”Goran Ostojic” BG
  3. Nedeljko Popov-””Milenijum” N.Sad

-60kg:

1. Danilo Mitrovic-”Ruma” Ruma

2. Marko Ruzic-”Goran Ostojic”BG

3. Zarko Sedoglavic-”Galaktik” Sombor

-65kg:

  1. Bljend Martinaj-”Goran Ostojic” Beogr.
  2. Srđan Vasilic-”King” Sr.Mitrovica
  3. Aleksandar Calic-”Ruma” Ruma

-70kg:

  1. Nemanja Komadina-”Galaktik” Sombor
  2. Aleksandar Aladic-”Galaktik” Sombor
  3. Nikola Miric-”Goran Ostojic” BG

-75kg:

  1. Nikola Cukic-”Goran Ostojic” Beograd
  2. Lazar Vujovic-”Vojvodina” N.Sad
  3. Aleksandar Salajic-”Jedinstvo” N.Becej

-80kg:

  1. Vukasin Uzelac-”Banat” Zrenjanin
  2. Stanko Novakovic-”Vojvodina” N.Sad

-85kg:

  1. Kopestinski Boris-“Gym Tonic“ N.Sad
  2. Milan Milijancevic-”Feniks” Provo
  3. Marko Susa-”Goran Ostojic” Beograd

-85kg:

  1. Nikola Nikolic-”Goran Ostojic” Beograd
  2. Stefan Zvezdic-”Goran Ostojic” Beograd

Girls cadets

-48kg:

  1. Radana Knezevic-”Milenijum” N.Sad
  2. Marijana Rakic-”Jedinstvo” N.Becej
  3. Mirjana Manojlovic-”Ruma” Ruma

-60kg:

  1. Sanja Radin-”Jedinstvo” N.Becej
  2. Teodora Manic-”Gor.Ost.” Beograd

-65kg:

  1. Bojana Andrejic-”Ruma” Ruma
  2. Bojana Bradic-”Sirmijum” Sr.Mitrovica

Women SENIORS

-60kg:

  1. Sandra Zekic-”Vojvodina”N.Sad
  2. Sandra Radulovic-”Sirmijum” Sr.Mitrovica

Men SENIORS:

-56kg:

  1. Strahinja Jovovic-“Ruma“
  2. Sinisa Legen-”Ruma” Ruma
  3. Goran Rapic-“Milenijum“ N.Sad

-60kg:

  1. Sinisa Zeljkovic-“Vojvodina“ Novi Sad
  2. Vladan Tadic-“Banat”Zrenjanin
  3. Stefan Mirazic-“Sirmijum“ Sr.Mitrovica

-65kg:

  1. Miso Gajic-”Sirmijum” Sr.Mitrovica
  2. Darko Knezevic-“Vojvodina“ N. Sad
  3. Darko Grujic-“Ruma“ Ruma

-70kg:

  1. Igor Sivoljicki-”Sirmijum” Sr.Mitrovica
  2. Damjan Markovic-“Ruma“ Ruma
  3. Kosta Todorovic-“Crni Zmaj“ Petrovaradin

-75kg:

  1. Milos Vracevic-“St.Pazova“ St.Pazova
  2. Miroslav Odzic-“Vojvodina“ N.Sad
  3. Milorad Mirkov-“Milenijum“ N.Sad

-80kg:

  1. Sinisa Knezevic-Gym Tonic” N.Sad
  2. Milos Vijuk-”Ruma” Ruma
  3. Igor Pantic-“Vojvodina“ N.Sad

-85kg:

  1. Ljubomir Cestic-”Ruma” Ruma
  2. Srecko Palezevic-“Goran Ostojic“ Beograd
  3. Vujadin Petrovic-”Galaktik” Sombor

+ 85kg:

  1. Goran Bajsanski-“Vojvodina“ N.Sad
  2. Ivo Debelic-“Vojvodina“ N.Sad
  3. Aleksandar Dimitrijevic-“G. Ostojic“ Beograd

CLUBS: gold silver bronze

  1. SBK “Ruma” Ruma 6 3 3
  2. SK “Goran Ostojic” Beograd 3 5 3
  3. SK “Vojvodina” Novi Sad 3 5 1
  4. SBK “Sirmijum” Sr.Mitrovica 2 2 1
  5. SK “Gym Tonic” Novi Sad 2 0 0
  6. KBS “Jedinstvo” Novi Becej 1 2 1
  7. KBS “Galaktik” Sombor 1 1 2
  8. SK “Banat” Zrenjanin 1 1 0
  9. SK “Milenijum” Novi Sad 1 0 3
  10. SK “Stara Pazova” St.Pazova 1 0 0
  11. SK “King” Sr. Mitrovica 0 1 0
  12. SK “Feniks” Provo 0 1 0
  13. KBS “Crni Zmaj” Petrovaradin 0 0 1
  14. SK “Student” Nis 0 0 0
  15. SK “Kralj Petar 1.” Beograd 0 0 0
  16. KBS “Novi Sad” Novi Sad 0 0 0

Italian Assaut savate team 2010

Team leader: LALLO Alfredo

Women

  1. MANGIARDI Elena
  2. PIFFER Francesca
  3. MASSARI Manuela
  4. PERINI Valentina
  5. RAVASI Valeria
  6. BURGIO Serena
  7. BARTOCCI Silvia

Men:

  1. CARBONE Riccardo
  2. ROSSI Andrea
  3. CARUSO Alessandro
  4. GAGGERO Andrea
  5. RIVIERA Cristian
  6. LIANNOTTA Simone
  7. BERNARDI Marco
  8. MORRESI ALESSANDRO

Coaches:

  1. GILOTTI Marco
  2. CASTOLDI Giorgio
  3. MASANI Stefano
Judges:
  1. INGRATO Gianni
  2. GIACALONE Maurizio
  3. TRABALLANO Paolo
  4. SOFIO Stefano

Serbian assaut team 2010

men:
  1. Strahinja Jovovic,
  2. Sinisa Zeljkovic,
  3. Darko Knezevic,
  4. Igor Sivoljicki,
  5. Milos Vračevic,
  6. Sinisa Knezevic,
  7. Ljubomir Cestic,
  8. Goran Bajsanski,
women:
  1. Ivana Popadic,
  2. Sandra Zekic.

Coaches:
  1. Miodrag Rakic,
  2. Miroslav Odzic,
  3. Slobodan Popov,
  4. Lazar Kovacevic
Judges:
  1. Radenko Tadic
  2. Maja Odzic

Maybe the best young canne de combat fighters?










Caribbean Sea savate

Boxe Francaise Melun vs. Italian guy on a Guadeloupe island.

Hightower in savate

Boxe Francaise Dunkerque, France.

We want reunification of Canne and boxe francaise under the name savate

Thursday, September 09, 2010

French savate - french boxing championship 2010 - assaut







Excellent savate baton technique

Roland Hoffbeck (white shirt) and Erwan Souben (dark waistcoat) demonstrate Baton at the 2010 European Canne de Combat Championships held in Cambridge.

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

European championship Canne de combat 2010

The first two rounds of the Female Final of the 2010 European Canne de Combat Championships, held at the Leys Sports Complex, Cambridge, over the weekend of 4/5th September, between Selenia Claudin Mabire (France) and Marine Gaudin (France).





The last get-together and buffet meal following the finals of the 2010 European Canne de Combat Championships.



The Mens Final of the 2010 European Canne de Combat Championships held in Cambridge, between Florian Adami (France) and Benjamin Latt (France).





The Mens 3rd & 4th Play-Off in the 2010 European Canne de Combat Championships held in Cambridge, between Yoann Leray (France) and Thomas Horstmeyer (Germany).



European savate confederation writes:
The 2010 European Canne Championships took place in from the 3rd to the 5th September 2010 in Cambridge, Great Britain. Many athletes coming from several teams – France, Germany, Hungary, Great Britain, Slovenia , ... took part in the competition as well as many officials and volunteers, without whom no competition is possible.
These championships were a good opportunity for all participants either to meet up for the first time or to catch up with friends, to share their passion and to (re)discover Cambridge. As for supporters and visitors, they were able to discover or rediscover the beauty displayed in a sport that combines such elegance and athleticism.
Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts, the club organising the event, had worked hard to host this competition and make the British public aware of this originally French sport still little known in the UK. Interviews in the newspapers and on the local radio allowed the people of Cambridge to discover this sport.
That weekend, those who came in person to find out what it was all about were quite clearly won over! Many thanks to the competitors for, once again, enthralling and impressing those who saw the matches. Thank you also to those athletes who put on memorable – both dextrous and funny – demonstrations of grand baton and canne defense.
Congratulations to Selenia Claudin Mabire (1st), Marine Gaudin (2nd), Cecile Serris (3rd) for the ladies and Florian Adami (1st); Benjamin Latt (2nd) et Yoann Leray (3rd) for the gents as well as for the teams of France, Germany and Hungary, who won well-deserved titles. Congratulations as well to the other competitors who also excelled themselves and displayed much talent, camaradie and fair play.
The competition days may have been frantic for all participants – competitors, officials and organisers alike, but the evenings were festive. The closing ceremony was an opportunity for all to come and relax in the swimming pool and sauna, then gather round a meal and drinks, where sportmanship and friendship no doubt met.

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Budo international - DVD - La Canne

Christian Guillaume The Great

Source: http://www.savateaustralia.com/

While Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez is acknowledged as the most celebrated martial artist to have defeated the Japanese Kick Boxers on their own turf, little is known about French Savate champion Christian Guillaume – who in 1969 was invited by Japanese promoters to compete against their champions. Here is his own account of his journey.

Translation by Gary Tatte

English translation (c) 2009

Two questions are often asked:

Why Japan ? Why me in Japan ?

My first visit to Japan was in April 1969; Japan was just becoming involved in kickboxing. Like every sport, the public was screaming for international competition. The Japanese were interested in French boxing, and so were the French in Japanese kickboxing. A Mr Kase, a karate teacher in France, contacted me. The Japanese promoters had asked him to send a few French karate champions capable of fighting the Japanese kick-boxers. But this type of fighting was not practiced by French karate pupils, so Mr Kase directed the promoters towards the French Savate federation, which seemed more appropriate than traditional Karate. I accepted the invitation to go with another French Boxer Claude Simonot. During our one-month stay in Tokyo we had to fight two matches. We left Paris with one stop in Anchorage. We arrived at Tokyo; the Japanese press was at the airport. We had supper at Tokyo’s ‘Maxim’ , we were received like princes. I was under the impression that I was smoking my last cigarette, before losing my head.

Guillum The Great-p1

The matches were taking place in Korakuen, the Japanese temple for sport with a capacity of 10,000 spectators, every night the Nippon TV covered the fights. The tam-tam rhythm beat, in this modern building, transformed the fight into a noisy and hostile arena. Simonot and myself were dressed up in silk kimonos embroidered with huge gold dragons on the back. We received sumptuous gifts from the promoters, who could sense the local atmosphere.

The first bout involved my friend Claude Simonot, who got the ball rolling. In spite of a courageous fight, the Japanese won, everyone was happy and smiling, except me, of course. Then it was my turn. My bout lasted only 1 minute and 48 seconds – just the time needed to plant the point of my shoe against my adversary’s kidney. He fell down, his mouth wide open, trying to gasp for air. After the referee counted my opponent out, he was taken away on a stretcher. I bowed to the public, but no one was smiling.

During the fifteen days preceeding my second fight, I visited Tokyo, Kobe, Kamakura and Kyoto: I swam in the Pacific Ocean; and I also visited the Kodokan. For Judo fans, the Kodokan is like Mecca is to Muslims.

Guillum The Great-p2

That day I was inspired. I went to the Kodokan after my first fight. I started training ( Judo) at 5pm and finished 9pm. The Japanese fighters were charming – but there were so many of them. They patiently waited for their turn to spar; they quickly got the message that I could not say no, that night I could hardly reach my hotel. I sat all night in a warm bathtub, as I could hardly stand up. I was lucky my next fight was twelve days away. I had plenty of time to recover.

My second fight was very exciting. Now that I think about it, the referee’s decision still surprises me. Three times I knocked my opponent down with powerful left hook. I remember I was surprised during the fight that my left hooks were working so well. It was simple, every time I extended my left arm; my Japanese opponent hit the floor. You must bear in mind; we were fighting with four ounce gloves. They were very tiny.

Guillum The Great-p3

My intention was not murder my opponent, so I took it easy, to make the fight last for a while. I was pretty sure of my victory. Unfortunately, this was my downfall, I was vain, and the result was officially declared; a draw. I leaned that night that a boxer should fight strongly all the way, leave it to the referee to judge the fight. There were three judges, all of them Japanese, the referee was also Japanese, and so were my two corner helpers.

The Second Trip

I felt like a film star. In November 1969 I signed a contract with Marouam the Impresario., three fights were foreseen for November. In fact, I fought 4 fights, 1 each week. I don’t know if the organiser realized that in order to fulfil my contract, I had to come out unhurt from all my fights.

In November, the weather was fine in Tokyo. It was with Karate fighter Mr. Albert Boutboul, that I made the trip. Albert had also signed a contract for 3 fights. It was his first international fight. He had never seen such tiny gloves before. He was so surprised. It was his own interest to adapt quickly. They were predicting that 90% of the fighters would end with at K.O. so we shared our knowledge of the game.

Guillum The Great-p4

First fight! Albert Boutboul was first- I t was a hard, hard fight – whilst in his room analyzing the reasons for his defeat, it was my turn. It was not long fight, 1 minute and 22 seconds exactly. I struck the body of my opponent with a kick. Surprised, he stopped for an instant. I took this opportunity to connect a left hook with the 4 ounce gloves- he hit the floor hard. That night I had an early supper. Second fight Albert Boutboul won on points, I couldn’t do less. Vanity maybe, it stimulated me. It was only a return bout. I don’t remember my opponent’s name, but he was more careful, and it took me 2 rounds to floor him. Albert and myself celebrated our victories with Ark Nechem, a Frenchman who had been living in Japan for a year. He was our only support. We finished the night, sharing a Camembert dinner that my friend William Boutnet had sent me. We enjoyed it.

Normally after a fight I had Saturday off but the promoters asked me, as a favour, to accept an additional fight in Akita, in the north of Japan. I accepted. This was not a bright city lights affair, but a very modest ring. The spectators sat on the floor, no TV coverage. I won on points; you cannot force your luck! Last night, I had the impression that with each fight my opponents seemed to grow bigger and heavier. Optical illusion, for sure. I was never allowed to attend the weighing session of my opponents. I trusted the Japanese. I was a light weight; my Japanese opponent should also be light weight. My next opponent was at least 170cm tall. Surely he was not a small light weight.

Guillum The Great-p5

We fought very hard. I struck his face hard and saw one of his eyes swell and close. I finished the fight unmarked- I thought I had won. But the referee’s decision was an even match. I respect tradition.

I came back to France with stop over in Manila, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Karachi and Beyrouth. Let’s skip the details. It’ about boxing that I had to talk. It was good fun.


A victory with only one strike, a new storm hits the kickboxing industry

Presented below is an English translation from a Japanese news paper article covering one of Christian Guillaume’s fights held in Tokyo 1969.

Special thanks to Luc Cerutti for providing the Japanese news paper article and Yasuko Gemeiner for the English translation.

(C) Craig Gemeiner 2009

“Skills as quick as lighting, draws a hush over the audience.

The strength of French boxing”

Scan10014

Untitled-TrueColor-01

Picture – 1st round KO (58 seconds) of MIYATAKA with his body stretched out on the canvas. GUILLAUME’s front kick, (chasse frontal), fast as lighting at the Korakuen Hall.

French boxing made its debut in Japan, and stormed the Koraken Hall. On the 5th, the French feather weight champion, Christian GUILLAUME produced a brilliant KO victory over Japan bantam weight champion Shiro MIYATAKA taking only 58 seconds in the 1st round.

Wow! – The audience was surprised by this quick technique. Since advance reviews placed a question mark on the real fighting skills of French boxing, GUILLAUME’s brilliant KO victory produced a silence over the crowd.

A short time after the astonished sights, comments such as” He is strong ! I am so surprised!” followed by the eddy of the audience’s loud applause which wrapped around the Korakuen.

It only took 58 seconds in the 1st round using a light speed front kick. GUILLAUME approached the ropes red faced.

Before his fight, ” this is my first time to watch kickboxing. It is very powerful.” said GUILLAUME looking toward the continuous scene’s of KOs.

People had doubt if French boxing was real for fighting. Since French boxing was a sport for the nobility class in France, it is far more important to demonstrate the correct techniques and produce the aesthetic form rather than just trying for the KO.

However GUILLAUME, holding a 2nd dan in Judo and also being a teacher of physical education, was use to the situation. “In my country audiences do not attend so much. We only have 2-3 competitions each year.” said GUILLAUME.

Like a painting the double kick was followed by a long spinning kick. During the instant that everyone was admiring GUILLAUM’s beautiful kicking, his front kick splashed into MIYATAKA’s solar plexus with a sharp sound. MIYATAKA dropped forward to a bended position, and despite his repeated attempts to stand up, he was counted out.

MIYATAKA later commented – “I was not sure what happened in the ring when GUILLAUME kicked me. Was it a front kick that knocked me out? It was like a flash, my mind went blank.”

Carried out by a stretcher to his waiting room, MIYATAKA was still half in doubt with dubious expression.

” I warned MIYATAKA to watch out for those fast speedy kicks” said ICHINOSE a member of the Japanese contingent, ” I think there’s a lot of skills to be taken from French boxing.”

French boxing is fearful. The Japanese camp has to reconsider their game plane after MIYATAKA’s KO loss.

GUILLAUME finally commented, ” as soon as I entered into the ring. I knew I would win this fight. My body conditioning was fine, and my kicking was delivered well. But I didn’t imagine I would achieved a knock out that soon.”

Even though GUILLAUME had won, he spoke calmly in a French manner with a face expression that said – ‘ I am the French champion.’

French boxing, for a while, seems to be the rage.