Savate has been honoured with its first participation at the World Combat Games in Saint Petersburg. 88 athletes showed brilliantly the full range of technical qualities, pugilistic and tactical necessary for the practice of our sport. The different facets of Savate competition, within FISav, including Assaut, Combat and Canne de Combat were represented.
32 women in 4 weight categories (8 athletes per category) demonstrated the quality and clean techniques of Savate to the leaders of the international sports institutions present. 48 men, in 6 weight categories, fought with energy and determination in Combat to win a place on the podium, with the hope of returning home with a gold medal.
Finally, the cannists, with panache, put on a spectacle showing all the techniques of this sport. The Canne took the challenge to show the sport to the widest audience and particularly to the leaders of SportAccord, who requested a special demonstration of Canne for those who could not attend the official competition. The French fighter, Benjamin Latt, gained admiration for his talent and knowledge of the handling of a canne in combat, while still allowing his opponents to score some points.
The members of the FISav management committee present at the World Combat Games were congratulated by the organizers for the quality of the athletes, the skills of the officials and the calibre of the internal organization of Savate. Above all, a big thank you to the athletes from 23 nations who represented our sport and also for the work of all involved.
The challenge to make known the different forms of Savate practice, and to show that our sport can take its place among the major sports has been won. A step forward has been achieved, now we must work to advance further in the Olympic way. The Games of Saint Petersburg showed that our strength is the love of our sport and the work of all in the service of Savate.
