Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - It seems that nothing can stop Plettenberg Bay's karate star, Galliano Boni. Even with a knee injury, he raked in 10 medals - eight of them gold - at the Great Britain Open Karate Championships in Birmingham, England over the past weekend.

This accomplishment is fresh off his dominant performances in the United States in July at the Iska World Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, Florida, where he did what no other South African has ever done before - he won two grand champion trophies. 

This was followed by another great set of achievements at the WUFK World Championships in Fort Lauderdale a week later, including a further two world titles in kata and kumite.

During his time in England he managed to win gold medals in several categories including U15 kobudo long weapons, U15 kobudo short weapons, kata black belt (12 years), kata black belt (13 years), U15 kata black belt, U15 other styles open category, team rotational kumite (13 years) and kumite (12 years).

He also won a silver medal in the team kumite (12 years) and bronze in kumite (13 years) categories.

"There is nothing that replaces hard work and hours and hours of training," said his father, Roberto Boni. "It was evident Galliano stood out above the rest with some very strong performances."

The main objective for attending this tournament was to warm up for the Goju Ryu World Championships in Foligno, Italy from 8 to 11 September. "He did not disappoint. As always he flew the South African flag very high. His performances were outstanding, especially in his kata and kobudo divisions," said Roberto. 

"It seems like he improves every time he goes out and competes. When people specifically come to his floor to watch him perform, you know that he has captured people's attention."

Boni said a knee injury that Galliano had picked up at school about a week ago flared up and caused him pain and therefore he had to withdraw from some categories. "It is very concerning with the Goju Ryu World Championships starting on Thursday."

Despite the niggling knee pain, Galliano desperately wanted to compete in the rotational team kumite (13 years) division with two other 12-year-old South African boys.

"To say they were brilliant is an under-statement. It seemed like they were on another planet. Focused and determined they fought like stars, each boy contributing to the team for an amazing performance, whipping the 13-year-olds in every fight to take gold."

Boni said Galliano continued to represent his town and country with pride. "The results at the GB Open were nothing short of brilliant, being the athlete who won the most medals of any other contestant."

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