- 10:10
Two days ago, in front of Jounieh City Hall, the Lebanese savate (French boxing) icon Najib Nasr blew out his 60 candles in his own way: 60 one-minute bouts against 60 opponents, without a break. Gala atmosphere, packed crowd, and challenge met.
The promise was a wink at passing time and an arm wrestle with the stopwatch. For his 60th birthday, Najib Nasr, savate world champion in 1995, treated himself to a glove marathon: 60 times 60 seconds, 60 opponents—men and women—lined up in relay, and zero recovery. Result: one hour at high intensity, a crowd on its feet, and a champion proving that you can still box… clichés.
60 bouts, zero rest
To cheers, the ceremony launched the evening: the national anthem, then the first touch in the middle of the esplanade. The tempo never slackened. Each minute, a new opponent, a different style, immediate adaptation: footwork, parries-evasions, chassés, and spinning fouettés when it was time to make an impression. Effort management down to the millimeter, hands high and a clear gaze: Nasr kept the pace without lowering his guard.
Gala atmosphere in Jounieh
Around the open-air ring, a fine lineup: the municipality’s vice-president and president of the sports commission, Sheikh Rcheid El Khazen; members of the municipal council; the former president of the French Federation of French Boxing, Joël Dumez; federation officials from various combat sports, champions, media, and a crowd of onlookers. All of it driven by a well-tuned sound system and deft commentary by Simon Abou Halloun, who set the place alight with each opponent rotation.
The Champion Speaks
At the final whistle, it was time for cake and embraces. “I held the hour and won my bet,” smiled Najib Nasr. “My thanks to the municipality of Jounieh for the facilities, to the friends, the participants, the public, and the journalists who accompanied this fine combat evening.”
Sheikh Rcheid El Khazen hailed “an initiative that fits into the city’s sporting dynamic” and confirmed “more multi-sport appointments to come in Jounieh.”
The Meaning of A Challenge
More than a performance, the message is that at 60, you can still set the tempo. Rigor, technique, and a festive spirit did the rest. For Lebanese savate, the image is strong; for Jounieh, the postcard is perfect; for Najib Nasr, it’s a signature: age at the corner of the mouth, determination at full guard.
Carried in triumph, Najib Nasr celebrates his “60 x 60” at the end of one hour of combat.
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