Deputy Joseph Wilson

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Wilson has won an international award for Savate Kickboxing. Savate, which originated in France, is considered one of the most difficult forms of kickboxing. The fierce martial art was recently featured on the History Channel’s show, “The Human Weapon.”

Wilson won the Gold Medal in the Men’s Savate Kickboxing competition. This was the first time he had competed in this specialized martial arts event. He won all four matches by knocking out his opponents in the first round.

The competition was held this past weekend at the 8th Annual Disney International Martial Arts Championship. The three-day event was held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

Wilson, an instructor at the Sheriff’s Office Training Academy, specializes in teaching defensive tactics to Sheriff’s Deputies and Corrections Deputies. He has been active in martial arts since he was four years-old.