Displaying the grace of a dancer and the mindset of a champion, this 1.68m, 48kg slip of a girl punches well above her weight on the Savate French kickboxing scene. The daughter of Frank May – multiple world champion in the sport and now director and coach of the highly reputed Nice Boxing Team Frank May – is a peerless competitor, until now unbeaten, who has been collecting international titles since we first interviewed her five years ago. “In 2013 I moved into the big league by winning the French Junior championship then the European championship, then in both 2014 and 2016 I won the world Savate Assaut championship in the under-48kg class.“ Some achievement! “In 2017 I’ve had to devote myself to my physiotherapy studies – I’ve two years to go to graduate but I don’t know if I’m going to be able to resist the call of the ring! I’ve already won everything I’m eligible for in Savate Assaut (only touch contact allowed); now my goal is to do the same in Savate Combat, which allows punches and knock-outs.” Although presently wisely prioritising her studies, Adeline May doesn’t exclude the possibility of returning to the ring in two years’ time. Her life nicely balanced between boxing, riding (her other passion), studies and boyfriend Charles Denis – also junior world French kickboxing champion –, this is a girl who goes the right way about fulfilling her ambitions: “My father taught me to follow things through and never give up. I’m competitive and if I want to return to Combat it’s also to prove to some of my adversaries that I’m still here!” Asked if she’s still the best: “Without a doubt! Of course here we have expert coaching that prepares us to be real fighting machines. My father is an excellent coach – I don’t tell him but he knows it. I wouldn’t have anyone else for the world!”
Par Marjorie Modi
Photo Jean-Michel Sordello
Côteweb 2021, création de site Internet sur Nice