Local Karate Kid jets off to World Champs
PLETTENBERG BAY - Plett's very own karate kid, Galliano Boni, has arrived in Romania and is training hard for the Karate World Championship that takes place this weekend. This will be his first "live" competition since the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The 11-year-old karate sensation is one of only four South Africans competing at the event in Cluj-Napoca from 23 to 27 September and is the only junior from the country participating.
The youngster has attended the previous two world championships - in Dundee, Scotland in 2018 and Bratislava, Slovakia in 2019. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the pandemic.
While the outbreak of Covid-19 halted most sporting events, it did not stop Galliano from competing, albeit in virtual competitions.
One of these events was the prestigious OTW World Online Karate Championships during which 534 participants from 42 countries battled it out in a live broadcast from Malta earlier this year. Galliano won a medal in every division he participated in, including five gold, three silver and one bronze medal.
Galliano's father, Roberto
Boni, said during their travels to Romania, that his son was very excited to participate in a live event again. "The next few days will be hard training until they start on Thursday. Galliano competes on Saturday and Sunday," Boni said. The two arrived in ClujNapoca on Monday and had a day's rest before beginning final preparations for Galliano's events.