Father and son, Laurent and Eliott introduce others to self-defense near Caen

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A Cormelles-le-Royal, near Caen (Calvados), it was an activity offered by the Cormellois judo club. There self-defense (or self-defense) has just been taken over by the association of the same name, created for the occasion by Laurent Rousseau who practiced it within Cormelles Judo.

I presented my project to the town hall in August. She was understanding and quick. We started in October and we have twelve members.

Stay confident in the event of attack

Members who want remain confident in the event of physical attack. “In self-defense, the idea is, when you are suddenly attacked, to don’t panic, keep your cool », agrees Laurent Rousseau. “We start by speaking, with our hands open in front of us. We learn to escape from aggression after three or four movements which create distance from the aggressor. We can reach sensitive points in the aggressor or create their imbalance. »

At 57, Laurent counts 18 years of self-defense practice. He started with 10 years of competitive karate. “I have competed in several French championships. I won a title in less than 75 kg. Otherwise, I was always in the top 6.” After a few years of practicing martial arts alone, he returned to club life around the age of 40 in jujitsu, judo and self-defense in Cormelles-le-Royal, where he resides.

We adapt the technique to the student

Eliotther 19-year-old son, accompanies him in this new adventure. He is secretary of the Self Defense Cormelles association and trainer. “There are nuances between my father’s practice and mine. My style is more sporty, more offensive,” explains the young man.

In both cases, we adapt self-defense techniques, inspired by martial arts, to the physiology, physical form and desires of the student. We also teach him to observe the immediate environment, to take advantage of it by using, for example, nearby furniture.

Eliott Rousseau counts 15 years of judo and nine years of jujitsu with Romuald Jean-Burel, coach of Cormelles Judo. “When I started judo, at the age of four, my whole family was at the club: my father and my two brothers in judo, my mother in taiso. »

In 2024, Eliott was vice-champion of France in jujitsu in February in Verquin, in Pas-de-Calais, 9th at the European championship in jujitsu fighting in April in Pitesti, in Romania, and again 9th at the world championship on November 1 in Crete for juniors under 85 kg. It was his first year of competition.

Self Defense Cormelles, Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the dojo in the sports hall. Open to everyone, from 14 years old. No competition. Prices: course €8 or year €100. Contact: 06 62 27 37 43.

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