Ronaldo Koen Clinches African Open and Books Ticket to Bahrain with Record-Breaking Drive

Eleven-year-old Ronaldo Koen from Benoni delivered a career-defining performance at Zwartkops Kart Raceway this past weekend, storming to victory in the final of the 2025 Rotax African Open to earn a coveted seat at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals later this year in Bahrain, the event widely regarded as the "Olympics of Karting."

Racing out of the Neil Basilio Racing stable, Ronaldo showcased maturity and consistency beyond his years in the ultra-competitive Mini MAX class, which featured a massive 33-driver grid from across the continent. After qualifying fifth fastest, Ronaldo maintained his composure in the opening pre-final to finish third, just under two seconds behind the race winner.

It was in the second pre-final, however, that Ronaldo truly made his intentions clear. With a flawless drive from start to finish, he led every lap and fended off intense pressure to take the win, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.

In the all-important winner-takes-all final, Ronaldo once again rose to the occasion, executing a calculated and confident race to secure victory and, with it, one of South Africa's prized international seats. His performance was nothing short of remarkable. Not only did he take the win, but he also shattered the existing Mini MAX lap record at Zwartkops with a blistering time that underlined just how dominant his final run was.

Having begun his karting journey in the Bambino class, Ronaldo has steadily risen through the ranks as part of a talented generation of young South African racers. His win at Zwartkops marks not only a personal milestone but also a moment of pride for his family, which has supported his growth every step of the way.

"This is something I’ve wanted to win for some time now. Being crowned champion is one thing, but getting the opportunity to represent my country on the global stage is next level. All glory to God, without whom this would not be possible. I also want to give a massive thank you to my family for always encouraging me and providing the much-needed support," said Ronaldo after the race.

With Bahrain now on the horizon, the Mini MAX African Open Champion will carry the South African flag with pride as he takes on the world's best later this year.