At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Marcel Lancino is a man whose physical presence is impossible to ignore. Yet, for the 86-year-old 8th dan karateka, the imposing stature is merely a vessel for a profound, practiced serenity. To Lancino, the martial art is less about the strike and more about the state of mind, providing a balanced vision of life and a passport to a global community.
Lancino stands as a pionnier du karaté à Reims, a figure whose influence stretches from the quiet dojos of the Marne region to the high-stakes corridors of the Élysée Palace. His journey is a testament to the early days of Japanese martial arts in France, evolving from a curious teenager on a judo mat to a master instructor for some of the world’s most elite security forces.
His lifelong commitment to the discipline was recently highlighted in late March, when he hosted a free training seminar in Reims to commemorate the 60th anniversary of karate’s arrival in the region. For Lancino, this milestone is a reflection of a trajectory that began in Pantin, Seine-Saint-Denis, where he was born in 1940 and eventually led him to the highest echelons of international competition and presidential security.
From the Judo Mat to the Beaches of Saint-Raphaël
Lancino’s entry into combat sports began at age 17 with judo at the Judorex club in Reims. In the early 1960s, judo held a cinematic allure; as Lancino recalls, the heroes in the films of that era were almost invariably black belts in judo. However, a pivotal shift occurred in 1964 during a training session in Beauvallon, Drôme, where he first heard of karate initiations taking place on the beaches of Saint-Raphaël.
Driven by curiosity, he made the long trek south. The experience was transformative. He describes being immediately captivated by the use of feet and fists, noting that it felt entirely different from the grappling of judo. This obsession accelerated quickly; within two years, he earned his black belt in Antibes, marking the start of a lifelong devotion to the art.
Upon returning to Reims, Lancino did not merely practice; he built. He established the first karate section of Judorex, which evolved into the Karaté Club de Reims. He then spent years expanding the reach of the discipline, founding clubs in Épernay, Fismes, Charleville, and Rethel. This effort was part of a broader national movement to “seed” the art across France, training brown and black belts who would eventually manage these satellite clubs themselves.
Global Mastery and the Japanese Influence
The year 1973 served as a professional and spiritual turning point when Lancino traveled to Japan. Having already reached the rank of 4th dan, he sought the guidance of the discipline’s most revered masters. Among them was Taiji Kase, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of the 20th century.
The relationship with Kase led to one of the highest honors of Lancino’s competitive career: being named captain of the French national team for the World Karate Championships. The tournament provided a humbling lesson in the sport’s geography; France faced Japan in the incredibly first round. Whereas the team lost four of their matches, Lancino managed to save the team’s honor by winning the fifth bout.
His expertise eventually transitioned from the mat to the judge’s chair. Lancino’s career in officiating took him to the highest levels of the sport, serving as a referee at the European championships in Helsinki and the world championships in Tokyo. Over the course of his career, he has mentored and certified more than 370 black belts.
| Period/Year | Milestone | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Judo Beginnings | Joined Judorex club in Reims at age 17. |
| 1964 | Karate Transition | Discovered karate in Saint-Raphaël; later earned black belt in Antibes. |
| 1973 | Japanese Study | Studied under Taiji Kase; captained the French national team. |
| 1995 | Presidential Security | Appointed as bodyguard for Jacques Chirac. |
Elite Instruction and the Élysée Connection
Lancino’s technical precision and rigorous approach caught the attention of the French state’s most elite units. He served as an instructor for the GIGN (Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale), the premier special interventions unit of the French Gendarmerie. Former students describe him as a “hard and rigorous” pedagogue who maintained a strictly traditional approach to karate, ensuring that the physical utility of the art was matched by mental discipline.
This reputation for reliability and skill led to an unlikely encounter in 1995 at the Paris City Hall. While accompanying the karate federation, Lancino met Jacques Chirac during the heat of the presidential campaign. Chirac, a known enthusiast of martial arts, expressed interest in Lancino’s writings on the subject. After reading the works, Chirac—facilitated by Jean Falala, the then-deputy mayor of Reims—recruited Lancino for his close protection detail.
Serving as a bodyguard to the future president provided Lancino with a unique vantage point on French political power. He describes Chirac as a “man of his word,” though he recalls the former president’s candid, often cynical views on the political figures who frequented his office. Lancino recalls Chirac remarking that some politicians were so subservient they would do anything if asked, including “licking his boots.”
A Continuing Legacy
Even at 86, the pionnier du karaté à Reims shows no signs of retirement. His life remains a cycle of travel and teaching, treating the entire world as his dojo. Having recently returned from Havana, Cuba, his next destination is Senegal, where he will continue to share the philosophy and technique of Japanese martial arts.
For Lancino, the journey from a small club in Reims to the inner circle of the French presidency was not about the pursuit of power, but the application of a discipline. Whether training a GIGN operative or protecting a head of state, the core remains the same: a balance of strength and serenity.
Marcel Lancino’s upcoming teaching engagements in Senegal mark the next chapter in his lifelong mission to disseminate karate across borders. We invite readers to share their thoughts or personal experiences with the evolution of martial arts in France in the comments below.
