Karate ace continues success in the US

KARATE NEWS - Karate ace Galliano Boni has continued his stellar performance in the United States after a stint at the Iska World Martial Arts Championships just over a week ago where he did what no other South African has ever done before - win two grand champion trophies.

Following this phenomenal achievement in Orlando, Florida, the 12-year-old Greenwood Bay College learner hurriedly packed his bags to make it to the WUFK World Championships in Fort Lauderdale last week.

This kicked off with a seminar presented by his Yamanni Ryu Kobudo Master, Shihan Kiyoshi Nishime.

"This is a privilege that not many Kobudo practitioners have and Galliano made an immediate impact on Shihan Nishime with obvious attention," his father Roberto Boni said.

"Galliano was particularly nervous and could feel the pressure building as the whole world was expecting him to win gold. He did not disappoint. His performance in his kata category was superb, powerful and at the same time elegant and technically correct. The scores told the story. He blew his opponents away and was crowned World Champion and in so doing defended his title that he won in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in September 2021."

Following this performance Galliano got ready for the kumite category. He had never secured a medal in this category and was ready for this to change.

"Due to the high number of competitors, the category was split into two pools. He was in the second pool and unfortunately got an unlucky draw which saw him fight three bouts in a row with only one minute of rest in between. He met his opponent in the final who had a 45-minute wait before the event. It was a tremendous fight going to 1-1 with 20 seconds to go. Unfortunately his opponent from England managed to score a point in the last five seconds to take the title.

"It was a well-deserved victory and a Trojan effort from Galliano who was over the moon having won his first medal in kumite," said Roberto.

Galliano hardly had time to catch his breath before he was rushed over to the kobudo long weapons category. His first aim was to make the final six out of a group of 27.

"He managed to go into the final in fourth place. There was an argument between him and me as to what kata he should do in the final and eventually I convinced him to do the more difficult and advanced kata Sakugawa No Kon."

Galliano Boni and his father Roberto share a moment on stage after a stellar performance at the WUFK World Martial Arts Championships in the US.