Category: News and Events

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CAMA Members Shine at 2026 Canne de Combat World Championships

The highlight of the championships was a historic performance from Jacob West, who became the first non-French athlete ever to win the Men’s Canne de Combat World Championship. Competing against the world’s best exponents of the discipline, Jacob’s victory marks a landmark moment in the history of international Canne de Combat and reflects years of dedication, training and commitment.

The championships attracted athletes from across Europe, Asia and Africa, with competitions in men’s, women’s, wheelchair and mixed team categories showcasing the continued international growth of Canne de Combat. While France once again topped the overall medal table, Jacob West’s historic victory demonstrated that the highest honours are now being contested by an increasingly diverse international field.

There was further success for CAMA as Alessandro Nguyen Rievaj claimed the Youth title at the accompanying 3rd Prague World Cup. Alessandro’s impressive performance continues his rapid development and confirms his place among the most promising young Canne de Combat athletes in the world.

CAMA’s contribution extended well beyond the competition area. Senior Instructor Dr Julie Gabriel served as one of the Competition Managers for the championships, while Jon West officiated throughout the event after successfully completing the international Referee Training Seminar held immediately before the competition. Together with the achievements of Jacob West and Alessandro Nguyen Rievaj, CAMA members played important roles as athletes, officials and event organisers at the highest level of international Canne de Combat.

Everyone at Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts congratulates Jacob, Alessandro, Jon, and Julie on their outstanding contributions in Prague. Their performances, professionalism and commitment are a credit to the club and demonstrate CAMA’s continued contribution to the development of Canne de Combat at the highest international level.

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Train, Test and Challenge Yourself at the CAMA 2026 Savate Summer Camp

Looking for an exciting way to improve your martial arts skills this summer? Whether you’re taking your first steps in Savate or preparing for your next grading or competition, the Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts® (CAMA) invites you to join us for our 2026 Savate Summer Camp.

Taking place over Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August 2026, this action-packed weekend offers high-quality instruction, technical development, and plenty of opportunities to put your skills into practice in a friendly and supportive environment.

A Weekend of Training for Everyone

The CAMA Summer Camp is designed for students of all experience levels. You can attend either one day or the full weekend, making it easy to fit around your summer plans.

Throughout the weekend you’ll benefit from:

  • Savate General and Technical Training
  • Savate Coloured Glove Promotional Testing
  • Pre-arranged Inter-Club Savate Assaut Challenge Matches
  • Savate Defence training
  • Canne de Combat training

Our experienced instructors will help you refine your technique, improve your movement, develop tactical understanding and build confidence, whether your goal is grading, competition or simply becoming a better martial artist.

Challenge Yourself

One of the highlights of the weekend will be the opportunity to take part in pre-arranged inter-club Savate Assaut challenge matches. These friendly bouts provide valuable experience in a safe and well-supervised environment, allowing students to test what they have learned against partners from other clubs.

Students working towards their next grade will also have the opportunity to undertake Coloured Glove promotional testing during the camp.

More Than Just Savate

The weekend also includes sessions in Savate Defence and Canne de Combat, giving participants the chance to experience additional disciplines that complement their Savate training and broaden their martial arts knowledge.

Stay for the Whole Weekend

Training runs from 10:00am until 4:00pm on both days, with the possibility of additional informal training and social activities for those staying overnight.

For visitors travelling from outside the area, local campsites are available, making it easy to enjoy the full weekend and meet fellow martial artists from around the country.

Event Details

Dates: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August 2026

Venue:
St. Bede’s School Sports Hall and Gymnasium
Birdwood Road
Cambridge
CB1 3TD

Times:
10:00am – 4:00pm each day

Attend one day or both.

Reserve Your Place Today

We believe in making high-quality Savate training accessible to everyone, with flexible attendance options available.

Adults

  • One Day: £20
  • Both Days: £30

Youths & Pre-Teens

  • One Day: £12
  • Both Days: £16

Coloured Glove Promotional Testing
Participants wishing to undertake a Savate Coloured Glove Promotional Test during the camp should add £20 to the appropriate attendance fee (all Adults, Youths and Juniors).
Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

For information and bookings:

📞 Call Ollie: 07709 814422

📧 Email: ollie.cama@gmail.com

We look forward to welcoming CAMA members and visitors from other clubs for a weekend of learning, hard work, friendly competition and plenty of fun.

Train. Test. Compete. Have Fun!

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CAMA Summer Savate Open

The CAMA Summer Savate Open took place on Sunday 17th August at St Bedes Sports Hall. We were pleased to welcome Savate clubs from Birmingham, Coventry and Guildford to join our members for the day.
The morning began with a Canne de Combat session run by instructors Jon and Jacob. This was followed by an introduction to judging and refereeing. Julie explained why it’s useful for competitors to understand judging, and the importance of being objective.
Competitors from Cambridge, Birmingham and Guildford then took part in a friendly competition. Alisa and Misha showed great fighting spirit for CAMA, and instructor Morgan had a good workout as referee for most bouts.
To finish the day, instructor Ollie ran a Savate Defence session, whilst instructor Julie ran some grading tests for our Birmingham guests.
Thanks to all participants for a fun and productive day!

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CAMA Members in the British Championships

Cambridge Academy hosted the Great Britain Savate Championships, at St Bedes Sports Hall, on 13th April 2025. Nine members of the Academy participated in the event, supported by instructors, Ollie, Julie, Morgan and Jon.

CAMA members showed great enthusiasm and technique, with a variety of attacking and defensive moves. All participated with good sportsmanship and supported other team members throughout the day. Photos at the end of this article – thanks to Ollie for these.

CAMA Results
Friedemann Waldert 2 fights, 2 wins
Seraina Blumli 2 fights, 2 wins
Arabella Jolley 1 fight, 1 win
Isaac West 2 fights, 1 win
Shea Ostani 2 fights, 1 win
Imaltzin Wong, Srihary Pratheeparaja, Sebastian Ostani and Shree Sharma also took part.

We were honoured by Anglia TV coming along to make a report, and interviewing Ollie and three of our members, who spoke about the origins of the sport and why they enjoy it.

Many thanks are due to the West family – for Clare who organised food for all participants, and to Jacob and Isaac who put on an excellent demonstration of Canne de Combat during the break.

Also during the break, Friedemann Waldert was presented with the Great Britain Savate Federation “2025 Martin Ross Fighting Spirit Award” for his performance at his international debut in Budapest in January. Congratulations Friedemann!
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CAMA Members Win World Medals

Twenty members of Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts participated in a worldwide online competition, SavatePlus, hosted by the International Savate Federation, in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

The origin of Savate can be traced back to 19th-century France, where kicking styles practised by sailors in Marseille, merged with the street-fighting techniques of Paris. The influence of English boxing, and the work of pioneers like Charles Lecour and Joseph Charlemont laid the foundations, both technical and philosophical, for what would become Savate, a sophisticated, ethical and modern combat sport.

SavatePlus is an online event in which pairs of athletes demonstrate their abilities in Savate Assaut – a light contact discipline – competing against other pairs. More than 250 entries were received from 40 countries, so we are very proud of our member’s results:

Juniors:
Alisa S & Konrad W took bronze medal
Arabella J & Sebastian O took 4th place
Elsie T, Neha B, Shea O, Mikhail S, Jason Z, Maya Van Wyk, Srihary P, Kajus L and Arman H all came in the top 20 places.

Teens:
Friedemann Waldert & Vikram John came 13th overall in the highly contested teens category.

Seniors:
Jon West & Isaac West, a father and son combination, came 14th in the senior category.
Hamzah Husseini and Juraj Rievaj also put in great performance.

Inclusive category:
Luca LM with partner Jason Z took gold medal with a great performance.

Canne de Combat:
Jacob West & Isaac West took silver medal in the Canne category.

Some of our savate Tigers members with their International Certificates

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World Canne de Combat Championships 2024

In July, five CAMA athletes represented Great Britain and Finland in the World Canne de Combat Championships in Prague, Czechia.

In the senior events, for GB, Morgan Alexander took the title of Women’s Individual Vice-champion. Jacob West took the Men’s Individual Bronze. Three of our members – Morgan, Jacob and Jon – gained a bronze in the Mixed team championship.

There were also World Cup events for Juniors and Veterans in Prague. Isaac West put up a spritied fight against an older French youth to gain Junior Men Individual Silver Medal. Jon West achieved Silver Medal in the Men’s Individual.

Anna Maekinen – CAMA athlete representing Finland – took the bronze medal in the Women’s Individual Championship, silver medal in the women’s cup and bronze in the mixed teams.

Jon and Morgan also participated in the Seated Canne Championship with Morgan taking silver and Jon West taking bronze.

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Entering into Trapping, Locks, Holds & Counters – Sunday 2nd June 2024

Cambridge Academy Senior Instructor Ollie Batts organised a charity seminar in June 2024. The seminar took place at St Bede’s, in Cambridge.

All takings from the event will go to support the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, which is an organisation close to our hearts.

The hospice supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care.

Ollie demonstrated skills and techiques from martial arts from around the world, including Sambo, Hapkido, Kuk Sool, Ju-Jitsu, Shooto & more. Participants began with stand-up skills, later progressing onto locks, take-downs and groundwork.

For more information about our classes, email: ollie.cama (at) gmail.com
Or, if you prefer to speak with someone, please call Ollie on 077 09 814 422

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Happy New Year 2024 !

Just a few days to go before we are back in action at CAMA

Book your place for Thursday 4th January’s sessions now:
Kids, aged 7 – 12yrs, Savate Boxe & Eskrima from 6.30-7.30pm
Adults & Youths (13yrs+), Eskrima-Kali-Silat, from 7 – 8pm, & Focus Mitts from 8 – 8.45pm
Alternatively, Adults and Youths, Canne de Combat session, from 7.30-8.45pm

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Jacob and Anna in the World Combat Games

CAMA members Jacob WEST and Anna MÄKINEN recently participated in the World Combat Games, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Only Combat Sports that are recognised by Sport Accord in Switzerland – considered to be part of the Olympic Family of sports – can join the Games.

The 2023 Games involved sixteen (16) different Combat Sports. Our Combat Sports of Savate and Canne de Combat took place from Saturday 28th to Monday 30th October.

Jacob representing Great Britain and Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts®️ took a silver medal in the mixed team Canne de Combat. Anna representing Finland and Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts®️ took a bronze medal in the individual womens Canne de Combat.

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Savate Grading Success – April 2023

Three adult and six junior members took part in the Savate grading held on 16th April at St Bedes, in Cambridge. Members had been working hard to prepare, so we were pleased to see some good results:
Josh Emms and Kyrill Tkachov were both awarded red glove, and Seraina Blumli gained her blue glove, with merit. All 6 juniors passed, 3 gaining Savate Tiger 1, level 1 and 3 gaining Savate Tiger 1, level 2.