After 24 years of martial arts in Vals, the president of the self-defense club is forced to stop the courses, for lack of sufficient participants.
A page has been turned in the teaching of martial arts in Vals-les-Bains. André Fauque, founding president of the Fuji-Yama club, has decided to stop his activity as a teacher of Nihon-tai-jitsu and anti-aggression self-defense: “Our association has been providing courses at Espace Sévigné for 24 years. Over the years, 1,000 students from Vals and its surroundings have received our education. Among them, ten have obtained their black belt. regret that I decided to stop classes. The Covid-19 had to disrupt our activity. Last year we had only four students. My pleasure was to have students listening with the want to learn. We were a group of friends who were all equal, except that I, the teacher, had more knowledge “.
Versatile sportsman
Since his earliest childhood, André Fauque has been immersed in the world of sport. Her daddy practiced boxing at a high level. At the age of 7, André started gymnastics under the Airette, in Aubenas, then, he specialized in running: his favorite discipline is 1000 meters. A pupil at the Immaculate Conception, he participated on several occasions in the French championships. At the same time, he plays pétanque and Lyonnaise. Also in Aubenas, from cadet to junior, he plays football and is coached by Mr. Chabrol. His most vivid memory as a young footballer is the Gambardella Cup final at Rive de Giers. For ten years, he was captain of the Largentière reserve team.
The taste of martial arts
At 29, he left football and passionately launched into martial arts. In September 1969, he got his first judo license. On April 10, 1975, he obtained the state diploma in judo. From 1970 to 1976, he was president of the Largentière judo club. In 1974, he created the Vallon Pont d’Arc judo club and the following year that of Vans. From 1976 to 1979, he graduated in traditional Ju jitsu. In 1979, André Fauque created an association in Aubenas which would later become the Fuji-Yama. In 1981, 1992 and 1997, he created respectively a tai jitsu club in Vinezac, Pont de Labeaume and Vals-les-Bains. In 1990, he obtained the diploma of federal instructor of karate. In January 2004, he obtained the 3e karate dan in Clermont-Ferrand, April 5, 2007, 4e dan, and the 5e dan in 2012. In 2005, he was awarded the bronze medal for youth and sports, in 2010, the silver medal, and, in 2018, the gold medal.
Responsible for regional sport
André Fauque got involved in sports structures. In 1997 and 1998, he was elected member of the Drôme Ardèche karate committee and of the management committee of the Dauphiné Savoie karate league. In 2003, he became president of the bi-departmental Drôme Ardèche karate and associated disciplines committee and was re-elected in 2008. In 2005, he was elected vice-president of the Dauphiné Savoie karate league.
There is no doubt that if he no longer offers lessons in the Valsois club, we will find this enthusiast in other instances!
