Three world titles for Plett karate kid

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett's flag is flying high in the USA as young karate star Galliano Boni continued to rake in trophies and titles at the Iska World Championships in Lake Buena Vista Florida over the past week.

And the youngster was not done. After winning three trophies and three world champion titles at the event, he travelled to Fort Lauderdale, where he is currently taking part in the WUFK World Karate Championships.

The 12-year-old Greenwood Bay College learner, representing South Africa at the competition, secured his world championship titles at the Iska World Championships with a near-perfect score in traditional forms, creative forms and weapons.

The latest victories follow three gold medals and a silver at the 2022 WUKF South African National Championships and Africa Open on home soil in March. In 2016 Galliano became the youngest ever South African to win the Grand Champion trophy in the same event at the age of six. He was awarded Protea colours at the age of nine, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he could not ratify these colours in 2020 or in 2021. This is the first year that athletes from South Africa are again allowed to compete in the USA.

Galliano's father, Roberto Boni, is incredibly proud of his son as he worked very hard for these accolades. "You deserve any accolade that comes your way. You are a true champion: humble in victory and gracious in defeat," Boni said.

He said Galliano has made many sacrifices to be able to compete against the best in the world, including "thousands of hours of training, thousands of hours on the road, in the air, hotel rooms and airport terminals".

After the Iska World Championships, the duo travelled to Fort Lauderdale for the WUKF World Championships.

Galliano Boni from Plettenberg Bay with two of the three trophies he won at the Iska World Championships in the USA.