Meeting with the dean of the presidents of the Mareuillaises associations, Arnold Senn, at 83 years old.
What is your professional background?
I was an engineer and sales manager for a group based in Switzerland that sold heating and air conditioning equipment. I ended my career as general secretary of an EDF subsidiary.
How did you get to Mareuil?
We had to leave our home in the Paris region. So, with our motorhome, we toured France! And we landed in Mareuil. We have lived here for twenty years.
What is your experience in judo?
First I was a judoka. I am a black belt, second dan. As well as first dan in karate and first series of freestyle wrestling. I also did wrestling.
I started judo at the age of 16, in 1956, first as a teacher, then as a referee. Then, I was president of the Seine-Saint-Denis judo committee, between 2000 and 2007, then federal delegate, responsible for Ile-de-France. I was also on the steering committee of the French Judo Federation.
Arriving in Mareuil in 2002, I went to the Judo-club. I registered there as a simple licensee. After some time, I was asked to take responsibility and that’s how I was elected president in 2011.
How is the Mareuil judo club doing today?
We are currently in a bit of a dormant period. We suffered the Covid anyway! We must be around 75 licensees now, whereas we were over 100 before. There are many people who have not returned after the health crisis.
Are you going to leave the presidency of the club?
Yes, I quit, that’s for sure. The office will meet soon to find a new president. I will stay to lend a hand. I think that at 83, I can still retire!
What is missing at the club today?
A little more publicity and sponsors too. I think that judo is not highlighted enough in Vendée. There are big tournaments happening all over the place, but we never talk about them.
association forum, Salle du Lay, Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
2023-08-15 13:51:29
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