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Savate (), also known as boxe française, savate boxing, French boxing or French footfighting, is a French
kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...
combat sport A combat sport, or fighting sport, is a competitive contact sport that usually involves one-on-one combat. In many combat sports, a contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent, submitting the opponent with a hold, disabling the oppon ...
that uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of English
boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined ...
with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed, unlike some systems such as Southeast Asian boxing or
kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...
, which allow the use of the knees or shins, but it allows strikes in any part of the body. ''Savate'' is a French word for "old shoe or boot". Savate fighters wear specially designed boots. A male practitioner of savate is called a tireur while a female is called a tireuse.


Early history

Savate takes its name from the French for "old shoe" (heavy footwear, especially the boots used by French military and sailors) (''cf.'' French-English loanwords
sabot Sabot may refer to: * Sabot (firearms), disposable supportive device used in gunpowder ammunitions to fit/patch around a sub-caliber projectile * Sabot (shoe), a type of wooden shoe People * Dick Sabot (1944–2005), American economist and busi ...
and
sabotage Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening a polity, effort, or organization through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. One who engages in sabotage is a ''saboteur''. Saboteurs typically try to conceal their identitie ...
and Spanish cognate ''zapato''). The modern formalized form is mainly an amalgam of French street fighting techniques from the beginning of the 19th century. Savate was then a type of street fighting common in Paris and northern France. In the south, especially in the port of
Marseille Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern Franc ...
, sailors developed a fighting style involving high kicks and open-handed slaps. It is conjectured that this kicking style was developed in this way to allow the fighter to use a hand to hold onto something for balance on a rocking ship's deck, and that the kicks and slaps were used on land to avoid the legal penalties for using a closed fist, which was considered a
deadly weapon A deadly weapon, sometimes dangerous weapon (although some jurisdictions differentiate between the two) or lethal weapon, is an item that can inflict mortal or great bodily harm. By statutory definition, certain items, especially firearms, are de ...
under the law. It was known as the ''jeu marseillais'' (game from Marseille), and was later renamed ''chausson'' ( slipper, after the type of shoes the sailors wore). In contrast, at this time in England (the home of
boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined ...
and the Queensberry rules), kicking was seen as unsportsmanlike. Traditional savate was a northern French development, especially in Paris' slums, and always used heavy shoes and boots derived from its potential military origins. Street fighting savate, unlike chausson, kept the kicks low, almost never targeted above the groin, and they were delivered with vicious, bone-breaking intent. Parisian savate also featured open hand blows, in thrusting or smashing palm strikes (la baffe) or in stunning slaps targeted to facial nerves. Techniques of savate or chausson were at this time also developed in the ports of northwest Italy and northeastern Spain—hence one savate kick named the "Italian kick" (''chassé italien''). The two key historical figures in the history of the shift from street fighting to the modern sport of savate are
Michel Casseux Michel Casseux, also known as "Pisseux" (1794–1869) was a Savate instructor. He is widely considered one of the pioneers of the sport, and is even credited as its inventor. Life Based on streetfighting techniques he developed around 1820 "L'a ...
(also known as ''le Pisseux'') (1794–1869) and
Charles Lecour Charles Lecour (1808 – 1894) was a French boxer. He began his studies of Savate at an early age and was a student of Michel Casseux, who merged Savate and English boxing to a fighting style he eventually called French Boxing. Life While sti ...
(1808–1894). Casseux opened the first establishment in 1825 for practicing and promoting a regulated version of chausson and savate (disallowing head butting, eye gouging, grappling, etc.). However, the sport had not shaken its reputation as a street-fighting technique. Charles Lecour created a modern edition of the martial art by 1830. Charles Lecour incorporated boxing techniques with kicking techniques and showed how to use them together. He was the first to see savate as both a sport and self-defense system. Charles Lecour was the first to add English
boxing gloves Boxing gloves are cushioned gloves that fighters wear on their hands during boxing matches and practices. Unlike "fist-load weapons" (such as the ancient cestus) which were designed as a lethal weapon, modern boxing gloves are non-lethal, desig ...
to the martial art which allowed his students to train their punches without injuring their hands. Charles Lecour was exposed to the English art of boxing when he witnessed an English boxing match in France between English pugilist
Owen Swift Owen Swift (1814– 9 June 1879) was a British bare-knuckle prize fighter, who killed three men in boxing bouts. The death of "Brighton Bill" in one particularly savage 85-round bout in 1838, and Swift's subsequent conviction for manslaughter, ...
and Jack Adams in 1838. Lecour also took part in a friendly sparring match with Swift later in that same year. Lecour felt that he was at a disadvantage, using his hands only to bat his opponent's fists away, rather than to punch. He trained in boxing for a time before combining boxing with chausson and savate to create the sport of savate (or ''boxe française'', as we know it today). At some point ''
la canne Canne de combat is a French combat sport. As weapon, it uses a ''canne'' or cane (a kind of walking-stick) designed for fighting. ''Canne de combat'' was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The ''canne'' is very l ...
'' and '' le baton'', stick fighting, were added, and some form of stick fencing, such as ''la canne'', is commonly part of savate training. Those who train purely for competition may omit this. Savate was developed professionally by Lecour's student
Joseph Charlemont Joseph Charlemont (born 1839 in Lesdain, France - died 1918) was a French savate and Canne de combat teacher. His son Charles Charlemont (1862 - 1944) was also a noted ''savateur''. Life Although Charlemont has often been described as a stude ...
and then his son
Charles Charlemont Charles Charlemont (born Louis Charles Pilet; 21 November 1862, in Paris – 31 May 1942, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye) was a French boxing master and trainer. He is the son of Joseph Charlemont Joseph Charlemont (born 1839 in Lesdain, France - died ...
. Charles continued his father's work and in 1899 fought an English boxer named
Jerry Driscoll John Gerald "Gerry" Driscoll III (1924 – March 12, 2011) was an international yachting champion and businessman from San Diego, California. He competed in the defense portion of four America's Cup races (1964, 1967, 1970, and 1974), and was part ...
. He won the match with a round-kick (''fouetté median'') in the eighth round although the English said that it was a kick to the groin. According to the well known English referee, Bernard John Angle of the National Sporting Club, in his book ''My Sporting Memories'' (London, 1925), "Driscoll did not know what he was taking on" when he agreed "to meet the Frenchman at his own game". Angle also said that, "The contest ended in Jerry being counted out to a blow in the groin from the Frenchman's knee." He further alleged that "the timekeeper saved Charlemont several times". After the fight Driscoll bore no grudges, considering the blow to have been "an accident". The French claimed victory for their man by stoppage, following a round-kick to Driscoll's stomach. Savate was later codified under a Committee National de Boxe Française under
Charles Charlemont Charles Charlemont (born Louis Charles Pilet; 21 November 1862, in Paris – 31 May 1942, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye) was a French boxing master and trainer. He is the son of Joseph Charlemont Joseph Charlemont (born 1839 in Lesdain, France - died ...
's student Count Pierre Baruzy (dit
Barozzi The House of Barozzi was an aristocratic Venetian family that belong to the Venetian nobility. Members of the family became sailors, clerics and men of learning. They were lords of Santorini and Thirassia, and held military fiefs on the islan ...
). The Count is seen as the father of modern savate and was 11-time Champion of France and its colonies, his first ring combat and title prior to the
First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. ''Savate de Dėfense'', ''Défense Savate'' or ''Savate de Rue'' ("street savate") is the name given to those methods of fighting excluded from savate competition. The International Savate Federation (FIS) is the official worldwide ruling body of savate. Perhaps the ultimate recognition of the respectability of savate came in 1924 when it was included as a
demonstration sport A demonstration sport, or exhibition sport, is a sport which is played to promote it, rather than as part of standard medal competition. This occurs commonly during the Olympic Games, but may also occur at other sporting events. Demonstration spor ...
in the Olympic Games in Paris. In 2008, savate was recognised by the
International University Sports Federation The Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU, en, International University Sports Federation) is responsible for the organization and governance of worldwide sports competitions for student-athletes between the ages of 17 and 25. ...
(FISU) – this recognition allows savate to hold official University World Championships; the first was held in
Nantes Nantes (, , ; Gallo: or ; ) is a city in Loire-Atlantique on the Loire, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the sixth largest in France, with a population of 314,138 in Nantes proper and a metropolitan area of nearly 1 million inhabita ...
, France in 2010. The 25th anniversary of the founding of the International Savate Federation, in March 2010, was celebrated with a visit to
Lausanne , neighboring_municipalities= Bottens, Bretigny-sur-Morrens, Chavannes-près-Renens, Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Crissier, Cugy, Écublens, Épalinges, Évian-les-Bains (FR-74), Froideville, Jouxtens-Mézery, Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, Lugrin (FR-74), ...
, to meet with
International Olympic Committee The International Olympic Committee (IOC; french: link=no, Comité international olympique, ''CIO'') is a non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is constituted in the form of an association under the Swiss ...
President Jacques Rogge. FISav President Gilles Le Duigou was presented with a memento depicting the Olympic Rings. In April 2010, the International Savate Federation was accepted as a member of SportAccord (previously known as AGFIS) – a big step forward on the road to Olympic recognition.


Influence in other martial arts

Bruce Lee Bruce Lee (; born Lee Jun-fan, ; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial artist and actor. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that ...
also studied Savate and included many techniques to his own Jeet Kune Do style.
Mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...
also had influence in a similar matter, in UFC 1 world-champion savateur
Gerard Gordeau Gerard Gordeau (born March 30, 1955) is a Dutch former Savateur, Karateka, Kickboxer, and mixed martial artist. He is the 1991 World Champion Savate and holder of the Dutch Champion Karate title for 8 consecutive years, but foremost known interna ...
participated, reaching the finals where he lost to Royce Gracie, and he went to corner and train many future Dutch MMA fighters.''Kaminoge Vol.85'', Toho Publishing Other savateurs have competed in MMA, such as
Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded B ...
Christian M'Pumbu, Karl Amoussou and Cheick Kongo.


Modern practice

Despite its roots, savate is a relatively safe sport to learn. Today, savate is practiced all over the world by amateurs: from Australia to the U.S. and from Finland to Britain. Many countries (including the United States) have national federations devoted to promoting savate. Modern codified savate provides for three levels of competition: ''assaut'', ''pre-combat'' and ''combat''.
Assaut requires the competitors to focus on their technique while still making contact; referees assign penalties for the use of excessive force.
Pre-combat allows for full-strength fighting so long as the fighters wear protective gear such as helmets and shinguards.
Combat, the most intense level, is the same as pre-combat, but protective gear other than groin protection and mouthguards is prohibited. Many martial arts provide ranking systems, such as belt colours. Savate uses glove colours to indicate a fighter's level of proficiency (unlike arts such as many modern styles of ''karate'', which assign new belts at each promotion, moving to a higher colour rank in savate does not necessarily entail a change in the colour of one's actual gloves, and a given fighter may continue using the same pair of gloves through multiple promotions). Novices begin at no colour. The qualifications for competition vary depending on the association or commission. In the French Federation a yellow glove can compete, and in Belgium a green glove can compete. In the United States, the competition levels start at novice (6 months). In Russia there is no requirement for a specific glove colour in order to compete. The ranking of savate: Boxe Française is divided into three roads that a savateur can choose to take. *Technical road: blue glove, green glove, red glove, white glove, yellow glove, silver glove I, silver glove II and silver glove III (violet glove for those less than 17 years of age). Prior to 1983 silver glove I, II, III did not exist. There was only one silver glove technique. After 1983 the silver glove technique was broken into 3 subcategories. *Competition road: bronze glove, silver glove I, silver glove II, silver glove III, silver glove IV and silver glove V *Teaching ranks: initiateur (instructor level 1), moniteur (instructor level 2/master) and professeur (rarely given). These ranks require additional knowledge than just savate. Examinations includes anatomy, regulations of savate, education training, first aid certification, savate techniques and other... *Referee ranking: Juge arbitre stagiaire, Juge arbitre In some clubs there is also a rank of aide-moniteur, while in other associations there is no rank of initiateur. Eight to twelve years of training on average are necessary for a student to reach professeur level; eight years average depending on skills. In France the professional professeur must have a French state certificate of specialized teaching (CQP AS, BEES 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree, 1st de CCB BPJEPS, DEJEPS, DESJEPS). These diplomas are university level education in sports with specialisation in savate (supervised by the French Federation of BF Savate and associated disciplines ( Canne, Self Defense, Lutte, baton) (i.e.:FFBFSDA). The international federation (FIS), however, is still allowed to award professeur to non-French nationals without requiring such rigid system of education. French nationals have to submit and succeed to the rigid system of education and prove themselves in competition as well as being respected by peers, in order to have a slight chance to become a DTD (directeur technique départemental). Like any sport federations in France, the French and International Federation of Savate are under the control of France Ministry of Sport and Youth. This makes these two federations extremely powerful federations on the world scene. These two federations have followed a set of national traditions. Nowadays, savate is just a term meaning Savate-Boxe Française. In the 1970s the term "savate" was rarely used in France to refer to the formalised sport: people mostly used the term Savate boxe française, Boxe-Française Savate, B.F, B.F.S., S.B.F. or simply boxe française. The term savate remains in use mostly outside France or when speaking a language other than French. The global distribution of schools (salles) today is best explained through their stylistic approaches: * La Savate-Boxe Française (1980–present): the technical abilities of both savate's major kicking arsenal and English boxing were merged into a definitive sport of combat. * La Savate Défense (1994–present): was first presented by Professeur Pierre Chainge then produced into Self-Defense by Eric Quequet in 2000. After the French Federation dismantled Prof. Change and placed Michel Leroux in charge of the formations. It is based on La Boxe Française Savate, La Savate of the late 19th century, La Lutte Parisienne and the discipline* of La canne de Combat (stick) *includes also Le Bâton Français (staff), Le Couteau (knife), Le Poignard (dagger), La Chaise (chair) and Le Manteau (overcoat). * Re-constructed historical savate: some savate has been re-constructed from old textbooks, such as those written in the late 19th or early 20th century. As such, this form of savate would be considered a historical European martial art. Re-construction of these older systems may or may not be performed by practitioners familiar with the modern sport and is not at present likely to be particularly widespread. * La savate forme (2008): Cardio-kickboxing form of La Boxe Française-Savate. These are the different stylistic approaches of the French arts of pugilism in the world today.


In the United States

In the United States it is said that Daniel Duby brought Savate to the west coast in Southern California. The first real FFBFSDA/ FIS club of boxe-francaise savate was open in 1983 on the east coast in Philadelphia, under Dr.Jean-Noel Eynard, FFBFSDA/ FIS Professeur with the assistance of former FFBFSDA/ FIS DTN Bob Alix. In 1988 the US Registry of Savate was created on the east coast which became the American Registry of Savate Instructors and Clubs in 1994 (ARSIC-International). Meanwhile, on the west coast Savate clubs were spurring from the California Association of Savate. A couple years later, under the collaborative assistance of a steering committee made of Gilles le Duigou (FIS), Dr. J-N Eynard, ARSIC-International (PA), Armando Basulto (NJ) and Norman Taylor, USSF president(NJ) as well as few other individuals from California, the official name of United States Savate Federation was given to this combined association. The teaching efforts of Jean-Noel Eynard, Salem Assli and Nicolas Saignac contributed to the further development of Boxe Francaise Savate in the US.
Bob Alix and L. Gillot Bob, BOB, or B.O.B. may refer to: Places *Mount Bob, New York, United States *Bob Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica People, fictional characters, and named animals * Bob (given name), a list of people and fictional characters *Bob (surname ...
's "pedagogie de la Boxe Francaise" introduced to the world "Contact / Without being touched" mentality (i.e.« être capable de toucher sans être touché »). This teaching methodology was used by the first instructors of SAVATE in the USA who got certified by FFBFSDA. ARSIC-International has been instrumental at promoting savate in the US.


Dress

In official competitions, competitors wear an ''intégrale'' or a vest and savate trousers. They wear boxing gloves (with or without padded palms) and savate boots. Savate is the only
kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...
style to use footwear, although some other combat sports such as
Shoot Fighting Shootfighting is a martial art and combat sport, with competitions governed by the International Shootfighting Association (ISFA). It incorporates techniques from a multitude of traditional martial arts, the most principal of these being wrestlin ...
and some forms of MMA sometimes also wear grappling-type shoes/boots. Savate boots can be used to hit with the sole, the top of the foot, the toe, or the heel. Sometimes a
Headgear Headgear, headwear, or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head, including hats, helmets, turbans and many other types. Headgear is worn for many purposes, including protection against the elements, de ...
can be worn, e.g. in junior competitions and in the early rounds of Combat (full contact) bouts.


Techniques

In competitive or competition ''savate'', which includes Assaut, Pre-Combat, and Combat types, there are only four kinds of kicks allowed along with four kinds of punches allowed:


Kicks

#''fouetté'' (literally "whip", roundhouse kick making contact with the toe—hard rubber-toed shoes are worn in practice and bouts), high (figure), medium (médian) or low (bas) #''chassé'' (side ("chassé lateral") or front ("chassé frontal") piston-action kick, high (figure), medium (médian) or low (bas) #''revers'', frontal or lateral ("reverse" or hooking kick) making contact with the sole of the shoe, high (figure), medium (médian), or low (bas) #''coup de pied bas'' ("low kick", a front or sweep kick to the shin making contact with the inner edge of the shoe, performed with a characteristic backwards lean) low only


Punches

#''direct bras avant'' (
jab A jab is a type of punch used in martial arts. Several variations of the jab exist, but every jab shares these characteristics: while in a fighting stance, the lead fist is thrown straight ahead and the arm is fully extended from the side of th ...
, lead hand) #''direct bras arrière'' (
cross A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a sa ...
, rear hand) #''crochet'' ( hook, bent arm with either hand) #''
uppercut The uppercut (formerly known as the undercut; sometimes also referred to as the ''upper'') is a punch used in boxing that travels along a vertical line at the opponent's chin or solar plexus. It is, along with the cross, one of the two main pun ...
'' (either hand) Savate did not begin as a sport, but as a form of self-defence and fought on the streets of Paris and
Marseille Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern Franc ...
. This type of savate was known as ''Savate de Rue''. In addition to kicks and punches, training in Savate de Rue (Street Savate) includes knee and elbow strikes along with locks, sweeps, throws, headbutts, and takedowns.


Events

The International Savate Federation holds World Championships in three disciplines: Savate Assaut, Savate
Combat Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
and
Canne de combat Canne de combat is a French combat sport. As weapon, it uses a ''canne'' or cane (a kind of walking-stick) designed for fighting. ''Canne de combat'' was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The ''canne'' is very ...
. World Savate Combat Championships are being held for Seniors (over 21 years) and Juniors (18 to 21 years).


World Combat Savate Championships (+21 year)


World Canne de Combat Savate Championships (+18 year)


World Assaut Savate Championships (+18 year)


World Junior Savate Combat Championships (18 to 21)


World Youth Savate Assaut Championships (15 to 17)


Cultural references

In "Dr. Wells is Missing", a 1974 episode of ''
The Six Million Dollar Man ''The Six Million Dollar Man'' is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors. After a NASA test flight accident, Austin is reb ...
'' a savate master named Yamo fights with Steve Austin, using the original kicks-only style of the art. In
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
, the criminal mercenary Batroc the Leaper, an adversary of
Captain America Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
and mentor of
Gwen Poole Gwenpool (Gwendolyn "Gwen" Poole; colloquial: "GwenPool" or "Pink Slayer") is a fictional Character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A girl from the Reality, real world transported to the Marvel Univ ...
, is a master of savate, training the latter. The
X-Men The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in ...
character Gambit is trained in savate. In the issue ''
Flight 714 ''Flight 714 to Sydney'' (french: link=no, Vol 714 pour Sydney; originally published in English as ''Flight 714'') is the twenty-second volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. It was serialised w ...
'' of ''
The Adventures of Tintin ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (french: Les Aventures de Tintin ) is a series of 24 bande dessinée#Formats, ''bande dessinée'' albums created by Belgians, Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the pen name Hergé. The series was one ...
'', Professor Calculus states that he used to be proficient in savate in his younger years. However, when attempting a kick, he ends up falling terribly, prompting stunned reactions from the onlookers. Dazed, Calculus remarks that he is out of practice. In ''
The Black Island ''The Black Island'' (french: link=no, L'Île noire) is the seventh volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Commissioned by the conservative Belgian newspaper for its children's supplement , it ...
'', Tintin himself kicks a villain and calls it a savate move. In the 1967 novel ''
Logan's Run ''Logan's Run'' is a science fiction novel by American writers William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson. Published in 1967, the novel depicts a dystopic Malthusianism future society in which both population and the consumption of resource ...
'', protagonist Logan 3 often uses savate kicks for self-defense. In
DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...
, the character
Nightwing Nightwing is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character has appeared in various incarnations; the identity was adopted by Dick Grayson when he left his role as Batman's vigilante partner Robin. Although ...
is a martial arts expert whose many skills include savate. In the Japanese
manga Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...
series '' Medaka Box'' Zenkichi Hitoyoshi is a master of savate, and emphasizes its Open Handed Style Techniques with his "Altered God Mode: Model Zenkichi" which makes his hands as sharp as blades. In the manga series '' Kengan Omega'', Nicholas Le Banner uses a martial art he calls 'Sahate', created by incorporating techniques from Fencing, Savate, and Karate.
Ash Crimson is a video game character in ''The King of Fighters'' fighting game series developed by SNK Playmore. His first appearance was in ''The King of Fighters 2003'' as leader of its Hero Team. Ash, a teenager, participates in the series' fighting t ...
from '' The King of Fighters'' fights in a basic savate style that uses his own green flames. Ash himself is portrayed by
SNK is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. It is the successor to the company Shin Nihon Kikaku and presently owns the SNK video game brand and the Neo Geo video game platform. SNK's predecessor Shin Nihon Kikaku was founded in 1978 ...
as a character with an unknown origin, because his lineage as descendant of Saiki (Those from the Past's leader), but it says too that he was raised by the Blanctorche clan, a French family. Remy from '' Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' uses savate in a majority of his kick normals, combined with charge command specials reminiscent of Guile and Charlie Nash. His kick normals have a long reach but are slow and punishable, placing him low among competitive 3rd Strike tier lists. John Crawley from '' Art of Fighting'' and '' The King of Fighters'' uses savate in his martial arts style. In the ''
Tekken is a Japanese Media mix, media franchise centered on a series of fighting game, fighting video and arcade games developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment (formerly Namco). The franchise also includes film and print adaptations. The ...
'' series, Brazilian character
Katarina Alves Katarina may refer to: Geography *Katarina-Sofia borough, a borough in central Stockholm *Topol pri Medvodah, a settlement in the Municipality of Medvode, Slovenia, known as Katarina People *Katarina (given name) * Katarina (''Doctor Who''), a ch ...
uses savate as her fighting syle. In the mid to late 1980's, WWF commentator Gorilla Monsoon would often refer to the reverse kicks thrown by the French-Canadian
Rougeau Brothers The Fabulous Rougeaus (also known as the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers) was the professional wrestling tag team of real-life brothers Jacques and Raymond Rougeau, best known from their time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), from 1986 to 1990. ...
as "savate kicks."


Notable practitioners

*
Michel Casseux Michel Casseux, also known as "Pisseux" (1794–1869) was a Savate instructor. He is widely considered one of the pioneers of the sport, and is even credited as its inventor. Life Based on streetfighting techniques he developed around 1820 "L'a ...
*
Joseph Charlemont Joseph Charlemont (born 1839 in Lesdain, France - died 1918) was a French savate and Canne de combat teacher. His son Charles Charlemont (1862 - 1944) was also a noted ''savateur''. Life Although Charlemont has often been described as a stude ...
*
Gerard Gordeau Gerard Gordeau (born March 30, 1955) is a Dutch former Savateur, Karateka, Kickboxer, and mixed martial artist. He is the 1991 World Champion Savate and holder of the Dutch Champion Karate title for 8 consecutive years, but foremost known interna ...
* Professor Cuthbert Calculus (fictional character) *
Gioachino Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards f ...
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Lord Byron George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824), known simply as Lord Byron, was an English romantic poet and Peerage of the United Kingdom, peer. He was one of the leading figures of the Romantic movement, and h ...
* Baron Castleshort (James Gerard Richard Shortt) *
Charles Lecour Charles Lecour (1808 – 1894) was a French boxer. He began his studies of Savate at an early age and was a student of Michel Casseux, who merged Savate and English boxing to a fighting style he eventually called French Boxing. Life While sti ...
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Bruce Lee Bruce Lee (; born Lee Jun-fan, ; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial artist and actor. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that ...
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William E. Fairbairn Lieutenant-Colonel William Ewart Fairbairn (; 28 February 1885 – 20 June 1960) was a British Royal Marine and police officer. He developed hand-to-hand combat methods for the Shanghai Police during the interwar period, as well as for the all ...
* Christian M'Pumbu * Mickey Hardt *
Robert Paturel Robert Paturel is a French Savate boxer and RAID veteran, born in 1952 in Rueil-Malmaison. He won the French Boxing championship six times in France, and became a European champion in 1984. Nicknamed ''"Gorille"'' (Gorilla), he is famous in Fra ...
* Ludovic Millet *
Alexandre Dumas Alexandre Dumas (, ; ; born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (), 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas père (where '' '' is French for 'father', to distinguish him from his son Alexandre Dumas fils), was a French writer ...
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Richard Sylla Richard Eugene Sylla (born ) is the chairman of the board of trustees of the Museum of American Finance. Before his retirement in 2015, he served as the Henry Kaufman Professor of the History of Financial Institutions and Markets and a professor ...
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Fred Royers Fred Royers (born March 15, 1955) is a Dutch former kickboxer who competed in the middleweight division. He was known for his powerful low kicks, which is now a staple of Dutch kickboxing. Biography and career Royers began practicing karate at t ...
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Fedir Shchus Fedir Shchus ( uk, Федір Щусь, 25 March 1893 – 30 June 1921), also Fyodor Shuss or Feodosiy Shchus, was a commander (ataman) in the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine of Nestor Makhno. Biography Fedir Shchus was born into a poo ...
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Pierre Vigny Pierre Vigny was a French Master-at-arms (born in Taninges, Haute-Savoie in 1866) who was active during the late 19th century and early 20th century. He specialised in French savate and in the art of stick fighting known as canne de combat, whic ...
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Silvia La Notte Silvia La Notte (born 15 August 1982) is an Italian kickboxer and Nak Muay, who has been professionally competing since 2002. She is the reigning WAKO World K1 Super Flyweight champion. She is the former ISKA World Muay Thai Atomweight champio ...
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Tom Watson (fighter) Tom "Kong" Watson (born 13 July 1982) is an English mixed martial artist currently competing in the welterweight division of Cage Warriors. A professional competitor since 2006, he is the former BAMMA Middleweight Champion, the former UCMMA M ...
* Vitor Miranda *
Patrice Quarteron Patrice "The Dark Ronin" Quarteron (; born in Sevran on 20 March 1979) is a French heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Évry, Essonne. He is two time French and European Muay Thai champion and current IKF Muay Thai Super Heavyweight World cham ...
* Cindy Perros *
Jasmine Harman Jasmine Isabelle Harman (born 15 November 1975) is an English television presenter, radio presenter, property expert and writer. From 2004 to 2019 she co-presented the Channel 4 series '' A Place in the Sun: Home or Away?'' alongside Jonnie Irwi ...
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Pierre Baruzy Pierre Baruzy (Amiens, 19 May 1897 – Paris, 17 December 1994) was a manager and French boxing champion. Biography Of Italian origin, a descendant of a noble Venetian family, Pierre Barozzi (in French spelled Baruzy), entered the French b ...
* Peter Lee * * * *


See also

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Federation Internationale de Savate Federation Internationale de Savate (Federation Internationale de Savate) is the world governing body for the sport of Savate. The organization is dedicated to the promotion of the sport of savate and canne de combat. It currently has 63 member co ...


References


Further reading

* ''Description de la Savate à partir de ses formes techniques de base'' par Amorous (Manuel d'éducation Physique Tome 1, page 414). * ''Défense et illustration de la boxe française. Savate, canne, chausson'', Bernard Plasait, 1972, Paris, Sedirep * ''L'art de la savate'',
Michel Casseux Michel Casseux, also known as "Pisseux" (1794–1869) was a Savate instructor. He is widely considered one of the pioneers of the sport, and is even credited as its inventor. Life Based on streetfighting techniques he developed around 1820 "L'a ...
. * ''Théorique et pratique de la boxe française'',
Joseph Charlemont Joseph Charlemont (born 1839 in Lesdain, France - died 1918) was a French savate and Canne de combat teacher. His son Charles Charlemont (1862 - 1944) was also a noted ''savateur''. Life Although Charlemont has often been described as a stude ...
, 1878. * ''La Boxe Française, historique et biographique, souvenirs, notes, impressions, anecdotes'',
Joseph Charlemont Joseph Charlemont (born 1839 in Lesdain, France - died 1918) was a French savate and Canne de combat teacher. His son Charles Charlemont (1862 - 1944) was also a noted ''savateur''. Life Although Charlemont has often been described as a stude ...
, 1899.


External links


Official website of the Fédération Internationale de SavateOfficial website of the Fédération Française de Savate boxe Française et DAOfficial website of the Federation Russia de Savate
of Savate {{Authority control Combat sports European martial arts Sports originating in France Mixed martial arts styles