KAMALIO: KICKING STREET SOCCER AND PARKOUR INTO RED BULL STREET STYLE
Kamal "Kamalio" Ranchod, the 2009 Red Bull Street Style champ, updates us on FIFA 2010, his new training schedule - and a very special New Year's show.
Kamal "Kamalio" Ranchod, the 2009 Red Bull Street Style champ, updates us on FIFA 2010, his new training schedule - and a very special New Year's show.
Kamalio is still smiling about being crowned Red Bull Street Style champ for ZA. "Winning just shows me that all the hard work pays off," he says. "I believe things happen for a reason and I guess this year was my turn to win the title. I am sure that Chris (Njokwana, the 2008 Red Bull Street Style Champ) and the other top freestylers will keep exchanging that No.1 spot over the years."
He's right about the stiff competition, so what does Kamalio think gave him the edge 2009? "I believe that continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection," he says. "I am always training, and when I train, I try to figure out new moves and polish old ones. I do what it takes to become a better freestyler - it is all about practising style and moves."
Kamalio says he does watch freestyle soccer videos and checks out what other international Red Bull Street Style freestylers are doing on YouTube, but he is careful not to be influenced too much. But he also looks to parkour (free running), breakdancing and to street soccer for inspiration.
"It's all about staying unique," Kamalio explains. "I watch a lot of parkour free-running and a bit of breakdancing for inspiration, as well as skateboarding. Any extreme sport that has skill and a risk factor will inspire me to push my limits and become better. I've got friends who do parkour and I've started learning a few basic skills - the time will come to link that into Red Bull Street Style."
Street soccer
"Normal soccer is about running, passing and shooting for the goal. Street soccer is about moving with the ball and being fancy with moves. I think a lot of people in freestyle soccer miss that it all came from street soccer players, like Diego Maradona - he was one of the first freestylers. A lot of guys now use their hands and do basketball tricks in freestyle soccer. But I see the origins as being in street soccer, and I want to bring that back."
Since winning the Red Bull Street Style freestyle soccer contest in October, Kamalio has been busy. "Chris and I did the World Cup 'Final Draw' show in Long Street in Cape Town. It was a big stage with 35 000 people watching - we were up there and we couldn't even see the end of the crowd!" he says. The two Red Bull Street Style Champs, Kamalio for 2009 and Chris Njokwana for 2008, were also involved in shows and expos - and shooting scenes for Leon Schuster new film! (More about that in a future blog update)
Kamalio usually spends the festive season with his family, but this year they are going away and he will be at home. New Year might hold a special performance, though, so he doesn't mind. "I see my friends and family often, so every day feels like Christmas," he laughs. "I am happy to go out there and train, and try to be even better. Plus there's news that on New Year we might perform for Jacob Zuma! So I might be in Durban with Chris, doing Street Style for the president!"
Asked for any closing words, Kamalio wants to send out some props: "I'd like to say thanks to Red Bull for everything - the competition, the stuff they organise and all their hard work. What they are doing for freestyle soccer with Red Bull Street Style is amazing, and it does not go unnoticed in the freestyle world."
"To all the freestylers out there, and everyone who is into the sport, I just say Merry Christmas and have a safe festive season. Keep practising and see you in 2010, when soccer comes to South Africa."
