Boot to the Head

Saignac Savate Seminar

Sat, 2 Jan 2010 13:42:54 -0800

Add this to your Google calendars Savate fans: Former French Champion Nicolas Saignac is holding a seminar on Sunday January 31, 2010 at Erik Paulson’s CSW Training Center from 12 noon to 4pm. That’s four hours of intensive Savate training from one of the best instructors in the United States! Testing for glove rankings will immediately follow the seminar. The cost is $40. If you’ve been curious about Boxe-Francaise, this is a great opportunity to try the sport out and meet fellow LA based savateurs.

Putin Offers to School Russian Judo Team

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:27:52 -0800

Tough guy and former Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the Russian Judo team for a workout and ended up tossing a few of them about the gym.

“Russian state television broadcast images of the Russian premier entering a gym in a white judogi and black belt to applause and flashbulbs. The 57 year-old started off slowly, sparring with a teenage boy whom he promptly lifted off the ground and slammed to the mat. He then moved on to bigger opponents including a distinctly larger man who was quickly felled.”

After the workout Putin told the coach "If you need direct help, you can include me in the team". Heh. No one messes with Putin! The 57 year old black belt has even got a DVD “Let’s Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin.” Here’s a sample. Awesome or sort of frightening?

via ABC News

Best Trampoline Video You’ve Seen Today

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:06:22 -0800

This video of Cirque du Soleil performer Olile Mieux has nothing to do with Savate, but everything to do with awesome. Also, I think he’s French. Link

Ebay: Black Belt with Savate Cover

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:48:57 -0700

Get your bids in on this January 1989 issue of Black Belt featuring a cover story from noted Savate proponent Salem Assli. I like the juxtaposition of the Savate uniform and the question “Are you tough enough?”. I love this art but the unitard has never really helped the cause. Link

Manchester Savate International Challenge

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:45:26 -0700

And now a message from the President of the United States Savate Federation:

Hello fellow savateurs,

I am pleased to announce the second annual Manchester Savate International Challenge. On October 17th, there will be an international Savate event consisting of a competition and seminars in Manchester, NH. There will be competition and exhibition fights in savate assault, and possibly Light Kickboxing. The USSF is also scheduling a series of seminars and exams for the following day October 18th.

This competition is open to everyone, USSF members and not.

Sincerely,

Eugenio Traballano

More info about the Manchester Savate International Challenge can be found on the USSF’s site.

Photo above is from the 2008 Manchester Challenge. Copyright USSF.

Back for More

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:32:22 -0700

Hi Savate fans! Sorry for the long delay between posts but some pretty dramatic events in my life delivered a few unexpected body blows and had me taking time off from this blog. Anyway, I’ll try to post more regularly about our favorite martial art. You can help out by sending me suggested links and articles. Credit will always be accorded to contributors and you’ll be giving back to the Savate community. Reach me at calsavate at me dot com. Salut!