Tonga’s first ever Winter Olympian, Bruno Banani is unsure whether he will be able to represent Tonga again in Luge at the games in 2018 due to no funding and no sponsorship.

Bruno represented Tonga at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi placing 32^nd out 39 Lugers ahead of lugers from Australia, Norway, Korea, Moldova, India, Bulgaria and Chinese Taipei and six seconds short of the winner and Gold medallist Felix Loch of Germany.

Currently based in Germany, Bruno told Matangi Tonga that he hasn’t been training in Luge for two years now, although he would love to continue with the sport.

“Right now I want to continue on but not only just to get Tonga to the Winter Olympics again but I also want to get better and improve with the sport. Be in a better position, get closer to winning a medal or even win a medal.”

His previous sponsor can no longer afford to fund all of his training because Luge is an expensive sport, but they are still willing to partner with another sponsor to share the funding. However, time is running out for Bruno and he has to begin training soon in order to qualify for the 2018 games.

“We are still trying but I can't confirm it will happen or not, because the season will start at the end of October and by now we still don't know what really is going to happen,” said Bruno.

“But with [no funding] this late and nothing seems to be sure, it’s not a good sign.”

Sochi Games

Reflecting on his journey to the last Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, Bruno said he gave it his best shot.

“I gave everything just to get Tonga to the Winter Olympics and prove that even islanders, [or] whoever from the Pacific or places without snow can still do winter sports.”

Documentary

At the moment, Bruno is promoting a documentary titled "Being Bruno Banani, The Flying Coconut," about his journey to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, how he was picked from Tonga to train in Luge right through to representing Tonga at the Olympics. Various film festivals have been screening the documentary and Pasifika Film Festival in Australia have also shown an interest in screening it in November in Sydney.

Through the promotions, Bruno hopes to attract a sponsor so he can continue his training in Luge and qualify for the next winter games.

To keep fit, Bruno joined the Leipzig Rugby Club and plays fullback, which he says is another opportunity to continue with sports if Luge doesn’t work out.

“I am enjoying it and it helps me to stay fit while we try to find out what will happen with Luge.”

And if nothing works out in Germany, Bruno has some plans in mind for Tonga.

“After travelling with sports around the world in the last years, I have some ideas that I would like to bring to Tonga and maybe it can help Tonga,” he said.