1st – 4th July 2011 : Villette d‘Anthon, Lyon, France
Friday 1st JULY
At 4am on Friday morning the taxi arrived at my house and the weekend began, within an hour I was on a train heading to the airport.
At 10am I had arrived in France at Lyon airport and was met at the airport by two happy convivial members of staff from the amazing Villette d’ Anthon crowd of helpers.
Lyon Airport:
I was taken to the venue for the competition and introduced to the organiser and his small army of volunteer helpers, all from the local club and community. Next was the 5 minute journey to our accommodation at a quiet location on the outskirts of the village.
At 2pm the International Savate Federation CDI meeting began at the Hotel de Ville, with many CDI members present. With only a short break for refreshment the meeting continued into the night, ending around midnight.
Saturday 2nd July
The Championship event had attracted teams from: France, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Russia and Madagascar.
9 X Male and 7 x Female weight categories were contested resulting in almost 60 bouts.
The day began at around 10am with a French “team selection” / demonstration with the first actual Championships bouts beginning at around midday. There was a short break for a buffet style lunch served to us, again by the amazing Villette volunteer staff, at the competition venue.
Around 6pm the elimination bouts were complete and all fighters were ferried back to the accommodation area for a fantastic hot cooked, sit down meal. A great day of bouts and the only injury I witnessed was a very mild nose bleed, great “assaut” demonstrated by all the athletes aided by some very good quality refereeing.
Sunday 3rd July
With the eliminations complete the day began promptly with first finals, all the bouts were fought with determination and a high level of skill, the packed audience added a really loud yet friendly and sporting atmosphere.
After all the final bouts had been completed there was an award ceremony with trophies, certificates, prizes from the sponsors and really good souvenir photographs for the young fighters.
The Results
World Youth Champions - Girls:
F -48 : MAY Adeline (France)
F -52 : RAZANABAHOAKA Elysée Faratiana (Madagascar)
F -56 : LECCESE Tonia (France)
F -60 : LUCIJA Karajica (Croatia)
F -65 : GALONNIER Fanny (France)
F -70 : LETE Mélanie (France)
F +70 : RYAN Caolmhe (Ireland)
World Youth Champions - Boys:
H -48 : LOUISE Alexander (France)
H -52 : GALAIS Mickael (France)
H -56 : GUILLOT Melvin (France)
H -60 : SCHEFFLER Adrien (France)
H -65 : KHELIF Cédric (France)
H -70 : CACCIATORE Vincent (France)
H -75 : VUJOVIC Lazar (Serbia )
H -80 : ECHCHAREF Mourad (France)
H -85 : RAVIART Quentin (Belgium)
Winner of the Coup de Monde Jeunes
H+85 : SLYUNCHENKO Alexander (Russia)
The amazing Villette d ‘Anthon “staff” :
The closing ceremony of the Championships incorporated a buffet and a great chance to network, exchange addresses, make new acquaintances and renew long standing friendships.
Almost all the delegations left promptly after the closing ceremony for their long journeys home. Our GB delegation opted to stay the extra night and travel home on Monday morning which also allowed us to assist in the tidying up and attend the local community party to celebrate all their hard work and effort.
I would like thank everyone involved in making this first ever World Youth Championships such a fantastic success, from the administration and organizing by Denise, Virginie, Audie and the staff at the French Federation to the mini bus drivers, cooks and volunteer helpers in Lyon, the great video and photography by Mr Jamel Baba, all the coaches and trainers and of course the athletes, everybody pulled together to set a very high standard that will be difficult to match at any future Youth Championship.
Vive la Savate!