Berchtesgaden (RWH) Luger Bruno Banani, the first ever athlete from the Kingdom of Tonga to compete in the Winter Olympic Games, is taking a year out before starting training for his second Olympic appearance, which is scheduled for 2018. This information is confirmed by Germany’s head coach Norbert Loch, who helped Banani to 32nd place at the Sochi Winter Olympics within the scope of the mentoring scheme introduced by the International Luge Federation (FIL).

26-year-old Banani, who had earned bronze at the American-Pacific Championships in Calgary, Canada, in 2011, was supported in his preparations for his first Olympic competition by the German federation BSD, training together with the World Cup team run by Norbert Loch. Over the last few years, Banani has prepared for the season in Oberwiesenthal, where he is coached by Torsten Görlitzer. He spends only three months a year at home.