For more than five decades, Gerhard Schmitt has contributed to Savate through teaching, coaching, officiating and, above all, supporting and mentoring others. His journey has taken him from a first encounter with Boxe Française at a French summer camp in 1971 to senior positions within FISav, international competitions and seminars, and countless training sessions with athletes, instructors, judges and referees. Throughout that journey, one quality has remained constant: a willingness to share his knowledge and experience.
From a first encounter to a lifetime in Savate
Gerhard first discovered Savate in 1971, at a French holiday camp. One of the instructors practised Boxe Française, méthode Charlemont, and offered the activity to the campers. Already practising boxing, Karate, Ju Jutsu and Aikido, Gerhard readily accepted.
Twenty years later, Savate became a much more important part of his life.
While teaching Judo and Ju Jutsu at a seminar in Paris in 1991–1992, conversations about Boxe Française and its international development led to a meeting with Jean Houel, President of the French Federation, Michel Roger, President of FISav, and Claude Valadier, Technical Director of the French Federation.
They encouraged Gerhard to support the development of Boxe Française in Germany.
He took up the challenge. In 1992, he attended three one-week seminars at the CREPS in Vichy, returning to Germany as a Gant Rouge and Moniteur de Boxe Française.
Supporting Savate in Germany
At the time, Savate in Germany was represented by three different groups. Gerhard helped bring them into closer cooperation, initially using the structures of the Deutsches Dan Kollegium (DDK). This eventually contributed to the foundation of Savate Canne Bâton Deutschland, which became a member of FISav.
Gerhard served as President of the German federation for many years and is now its Honorary President.
But his contribution has always gone beyond administration. His real passion has been teaching and helping others develop.
Among the highlights of his career are three World and European champions who were his students from the very beginning. More importantly to Gerhard, some of his students have themselves become highly recognised teachers.
His teaching has also supported the development of new clubs in Germany and Canne de Combat in other countries. In 2004, while serving as FISav General Secretary, he conducted a Canne training camp in Hungary, contributing to the development of the discipline there. He also supported training and the development of judges and instructors in Slovenia.
For Gerhard, the greatest reward of teaching is seeing knowledge passed from one generation to the next.
A mentor to new officials
Gerhard has served twice as FISav General Secretary and has also served as President of the Arbitrage Commission. He remains involved in the Commission today.
Over many years, he has worked to improve the standard of judges and referees at international level.
But one of his most valuable contributions is his role as a mentor to new FISav officials.
Gerhard is generous with his knowledge and experience. He takes time to explain not only the rules and procedures, but also the reasoning behind them.
For officials beginning their international careers, that experience can be invaluable.
His approach is simple: knowledge should be shared.
He encourages officials to understand Savate deeply, recognise the technical characteristics that make the sport unique, and develop the confidence and judgement required at international level.
He has contributed to the development of officials at international competitions and seminars, and more recently worked alongside FISav Head of Arbitrage Maja Odzic during the FISav International Summer Camp, helping participants prepare for international examinations.
For Gerhard, officiating is not simply about applying rules. It is about understanding the sport, making fair and consistent decisions, and helping the next generation become better officials.
Canne de Combat and Bâton
Although Savate brought Gerhard into the international federation, Canne de Combat and Bâton have become equally important parts of his sporting life.
A major highlight came in 2008, when the German federation and his club in Frankenberg organised the Canne de Combat World Championships.
His commitment to sharing knowledge has also extended to writing. His book Savate – Französisches Boxen. Stockkampf. Selbstverteidigung brought together Savate, stick fighting and self-defence.
Gerhard continues to have a strong affection for Savate, Canne, Bâton and Savate Défense.
An international experience
Gerhard's involvement in Savate and Canne has taken him to many countries. But for him, international travel has never been simply about competitions or seminars.
It has been about people.
His international connections encouraged him to learn additional languages and, over the years, many people he first met through Savate and Canne have become close friends.
These relationships are among the things he values most about his involvement in the sports.
They also reinforce his belief that FISav must be genuinely international.
His message to those taking on new responsibilities within FISav is clear:
“New officials of FISav must not see themselves as part of their national federation any more; we are international!”
His advice to young athletes
When asked what advice he would give young athletes, Gerhard goes straight to the fundamentals: “Start with much emphasis on correct basic techniques.” For him, the fundamentals are part of what gives Savate its identity. Its precision, technical vocabulary and distinctive movements are what make it different from other combat sports. The basics therefore deserve to be learned properly, understood and preserved.
A contribution measured in people
Championship medals can be counted. Titles can be recorded. Positions can be listed. But the contribution of a teacher and mentor is harder to measure. It can be seen in the athletes who become champions, the instructors who teach others, the officials who develop their skills and confidence, and the clubs and countries where Savate and Canne continue to grow through knowledge that has been shared. This is an important part of Gerhard Schmitt's contribution to Savate and Canne. He has been an athlete, teacher, coach, organiser, administrator and international official. Above all, he has been someone willing to support others, share his experience and help the next generation develop.
More than fifty years after his first encounter with Boxe Française, Gerhard continues to teach, officiate, support and contribute.
His advice remains simple: Master the basics.
And his message to those serving FISav is equally clear: We are international.