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

Galliano will be jetting off to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday 20 February, where he will compete in his first World Karate Federation (WKF) Youth League tournament.

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

This move, he believes, will take him one step closer to realising his Olympic dreams.

It will also be his first time representing 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," said his father, Roberto.

In addition to the UAE tournament, Galliano will compete in four major tournaments this year - in Spain in April, Croatia in June, Mexico in September and Italy in December.

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