Plett's Italian Ninja explores new frontiers

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Much-awarded karate star Galliano Boni had a very successful year of competition in 2022. This year he is embarking on several new journeys, including a new school and a new karate focus.

And on Monday 20 February he will be travelling to a new place in the world, Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where he will be competing in his first World Karate Federation (WKF) Youth League tournament.

The 13-year-old former Greenwood Bay College learner, who is now attending St Andrews College in Grahamstown on a scholarship, was always part of the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF), but recently decided to join the World Karate Foundation (WKF).

Galliano's father, Roberto, said for the past six years Galliano had been competing on the world stage.

"As much as he has gained great success and enjoyed every minute of his journey so far, he started losing interest and motivation for the next tournament. After returning from the Goju Ryu championships in Italy in September, he had lost all his focus and will to train," Roberto said.

Galliano felt that he was doing all the training, travelling and giving up much of his childhood experiences with his friends - for little gain.

After weighing up the options, including leaving karate and continuing with competing in the WUKF, Galliano decided to join the WKF, which would allow him to compete against the top athletes in the world.

"He has achieved so much in his young life and even though he has been awarded Protea colours, he feels he needs a new challenge to motivate himself if he is to continue with karate. He feels he needs something he can work towards."

Roberto said his son's dream is to compete at Olympic level. "For a long time this was just that, a dream. His goal is to compete in the Youth Olympics in Senegal in 2026. Many hard and long miles need to be travelled before that ever becomes a reality, but it is something he is determined to achieve." He felt that joining the WKF would help him reach this goal.

Galliano's first test will be at the tournament in Fujairah, that will not only be his first WKF tournament, but for the first time he will also represent Italy.

Due to his Italian citizenship, the youngster and his family decided to register him with the Italian Olympic Karate Federation, FIJLKAM.

"With this comes vast opportunities and he now is being trained and guided by some of the best coaches in the world," says Roberto.

This will be one of five major tournaments Galliano will be participating in this year, including Spain in April, Croatia in June, Mexico in September and Italy in December. Roberto said this is not going to be an easy journey. Galliano is currently training five days a week at school and receives his kata training online with his coach, Michael du Plessis.

On top of all the training, the youngster recently suffered a setback when he spent almost a week in hospital with a suspected kidney infection and was unable to train. "Thankfully there is nothing wrong with his kidneys and it was pinpointed down to a bad bout of tonsillitis."

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