2008 CHAMP, CHRIS NJOKWANA, ON THE 2009 CHAMPION, KAMAL RANCHOD
The Red Bull Street Style freestyle soccer contest has come to an end. It was a nail-biting final, but last year’s defending champion, Chris Njokwana, has lost his title to the new Red Bull street Style South Africa champion, Kamal ‘Kamalio’ Ranchod.
The Red Bull Street Style freestyle soccer contest has come to an end. It was a nail-biting final, but last year’s defending champion, Chris Njokwana, has lost his title to the new Red Bull street Style South Africa champion, Kamal ‘Kamalio’ Ranchod.
We caught up with Chris after the event to chat about how the final went, how he’s feeling and what his plans are after Red Bull Street Style 2009.
“What can I say? I asked for a tough final and that’s what I got! Kamal has looked strong throughout the whole competition and he was flawless on the day. I dropped the ball too many times. I just didn’t have a good enough response to his tricks. I kinda choked.”
After having seen what the talent is like internationally on his trip to the world finals in Brazil last year, we asked Chris what he thought Kamal’s chances were like at the world final next year, “Kamal is up there with the best. And having a home advantage with next year’s world final taking place in Cape Town, I think he has a good shot.”
After what has been a jam-packed two months of roadshows, judging, qualifiers and updates, you might think that Chris would be taking a break but he has a very busy schedule lined up, “I was thinking I’d have some time to relax, but I actually have ten gigs lined up in the next eleven days!”
Will we see Chris Njokwana back next year? “Without a doubt man, I will be back! I’m hopefully gonna take some time to rest before then, and I’ll come back stronger.” After some outstanding roadshows and a dazzling performance at the finals on the weekend, Chris will has been a crucial part of the history of South African freestyle soccer as the Red Bull Street Style champ for 2008, the ambassador for 2009 and the first South African to represent Mzansi freestyle on the worls stage last year. Even though he is not this year’s champion, the name Chris Njokwana will certainly stick around as the one-and-only Red Bull Street Style ZA champ for 2008/2009.
