 I am pleased to inform you that South Africa has joined the world of Savate. Miodrag Rakic and Slobodan Popov were invited to run a seminar series, between 13th and 22nd April, in Johannesburg, Centurion and Pretoria. | |
| For the Qualifying Tournament of the World Combat Championships held in Milan, in June, we received registrations from 140 fighters, representing 23 countries. The organisers, led by Alfredo Lallo, President of the Federazione Italiana Savate worked hard to provide transport, food, and a very good hotel for the delegations and supporters. For the 2 days of competition, the arbitrage team, led by D.O.G. Gerhard Schmitt (Germany), and the ring DOs Rodolphe Redon (France), Maja Odzic (Serbia) and Mauricio Giacalone (Italy) officated for more than 150 fights involving 108 fighters. Gilles Le Duigou (President of the Competitions Commission), supported by Joel Dhumez (Vice-president of the Fédération Internationale de Savate) organised the fight orders for each ring, recorded the results, and ensured that the results appeared quickly on our website.  More recently, in Villette D'Anthon (France) the first World Youth Championships took place. Hosted by the club of Villette D'Anthon and the French Federation, the championships were a great success. Young people, aged 15, 16 and 17 years, from 11 countries, took part showing excellent Savate Assaut and sportsmanship. The D.O.G. Rodolphe Redon (France) and the ring Official Delegates Antonio Poças (France) and Franco Di Guglielmo (France), supported by sever  al members of the French Federation Youth Commission ran the event efficiently, and with attention to the needs of our young fighters. Finally, a word of special thanks to Denise Avediguian, Virginie Coenon, Christian Audie and the vast team of volunteers who looked after us so well!Our fighters enter the ring as individuals facing other individuals, but we should always remember the teams of people who train and support them, officiate for them, organise events, and enable our sport to grow. |