Plett’s very own Karate Kid
How Galliano Boni chopped, skipped and jumped his way to international success
In only five years after taking up karate, Galliano Boni has at the age of nine already bagged himself eight world titles, five silver and two bronze medals at six world championships – in addition to 30 South African titles.
Galliano took a very keen interest in martial arts at a very young age (four years old) when he would watch his brother Aligi train in the dojo. Just before his fifth birthday he went for his first lesson and the rest is history. It was evident right from the onset that he was meant for martial arts.
In September 2015, he took part in his first International Sport Karate Association (Iska) tournament – the EP Classic – winning a silver medal in points fighting in the six-year-old division.
World championships
Galliano has accomplished the extraordinary feat of having been chosen to represent South Africa at three different world championships for three different federations – the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Iska World Championships, 2017 and 2019 World Japanese Karate Association (WJKA) World Championships, and the 2018 and 2019 World Union of KarateDo Federations (WUKF) World Championships. Although his favourite part is kumite (sparring) and he is very adept in this division, his strength lies in the forms – traditional and creative.
Galliano has won eight world titles in both the traditional and creative forms divisions. Not only is he the youngest-ever member to represent South Africa but he is also the first and youngest South African ever to win the Grand Champion Trophy at the Night of Champions for his creative form, obtaining a score of 9.99 from all seven judges.
At the Iska SA Championships in September 2018, he competed in eight divisions winning seven gold and one silver medal (in the 13 and under division) thereby accomplishing what no other martial artist has done before him. Due to his stellar performances he was selected as part of the Iska President's team, which is usually only achieved by martial artists who have achieved blue belt status.
Recent accomplishments
He recently (20 to 23 June) participated in the WUKF World Karate and Kobudo Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia where he became the firstever South African to compete and win a medal (he won silver) for his kobudo kata (kobudo means "ancient martial way" and specifically refers to weapons in the martial arts).
Soon after, he took part in the the WJKA World Championships on 5 and 6 July in Uitenhage, where he became world champion in kumite.
Galliano has had the unique honour of becoming world champion every year since 2016.
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