Guardsman John Bogg was attacked by the animal during an early morning patrol in Kenya last October.
A guardsman who was savaged by a buffalo in Kenya was singled out by the Duke of Cambridge to recount his ordeal.
Guardsman John Bogg was deployed with the Irish Guards for a training exercise in October when he was attacked by a buffalo on high ground during an early morning patrol.
William immediately asked to speak to the 19-year-old during a visit to 1st Battalion at their barracks in Hounslow, west London, after a Saint Patrick’s Day parade.
Describing the ordeal, he told the Press Association: “I heard a grunting sound to my left and there was a figure built quite well, and I saw in the glint of the moonlight its horns, then it charged at us.
“Everyone ran to the left and I went to the right.
“It chased after me, flipped me with its horns, flew me about 10 metres further down, then it kept repeatedly butting me, about four or five times.
“My day sack saved me, otherwise I would have been impaled.
“Once it thought I was dead, finished, it gave me a final butt and ran off, trampled over me, so I was lucky to survive it. If it wasn’t for my day sack I wouldn’t be still here now.”
“One of the maddest experiences of my life,” he added.
Guardsman Bogg has been part of the Irish Guards for 18 months, and was deployed to the Falklands before Kenya.
The duke, described by the soldier as “very hands on” in his role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, visited the operation in Kenya last year but was not there when the incident occurred.
He later heard the story after it was passed up the army’s chain of command, and loudly asked: “Where’s Guardsman Bogg?” when he entered the dining room, where hundreds of soldiers were waiting to toast him.
The teenager said his name being called out was “completely unexpected”.
Shaking Guardsman Bogg’s hand, the men chatted for a few moments before William gestured quizzically to the rest of his comrades and asked about the role they played after he was attacked.
“They all ran off sir,” the teenager replied, prompting raucous laughter.
Moments earlier, the guardsmen banged on tables and cheered as they waited for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to arrive.
The couple later sipped pints of Guinness as hundreds of soldiers stood to toast them.
Describing their meeting, Guardsman Bogg said: “He said it was unbelievable that I was still here and he’d heard about it, and asked me how the buffalo attacked me. And then Kate was just asking what had happened.
“The interaction in Kenya, coming out and seeing us – I don’t think every regimental colonel does that. I think you’ve got to be one in a million to do that to be honest with you.”
He added: “To think that he’s chosen me out is quite special to honest with you, especially for someone that high up to hear about such an incident, it’s brilliant.”
MADRID (AP) — Spain's first Women's World Cup triumph last year earned two more major plaudits at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.
Spain was chosen world team of the year for 2023 and midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was picked as the best sportswoman.
Novak Djokovic received the sportsman of the year at the ceremony in Madrid, and American gymnast Simone Biles was given the comeback of the year award.
Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham earned the breakthrough prize, and Rafael Nadal won the sport for good award thanks to his foundation.
The Spanish women's World Cup breakthrough last August in New Zealand and Australia was tarnished in the following weeks because of an unwanted kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso by then-federation president Luis Rubiales after the final.
Laureus rewarded Spain as the first all-female team to win the team award.
Before the World Cup, Bonmatí also helped Barcelona win a second Women's Champions League. She's the first female soccer player to win the Laureus, after also receiving the Ballon d'Or and FIFA best player award.
“I want to thank all my teammates and the staff of my club and national team who have helped me a lot, and because of them I am here today,” Bonmati said.
Djokovic won his record-equalling fifth Laureus sportsman award — tying Roger Federer — after titles at the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open to reach a record 24 Grand Slam singles triumphs. NFL great Tom Brady presented Djokovic the award.
Biles made a record-breaking return to competition last year when she won four gold medals at the world championships, including a record sixth all-around title.
Nadal's foundation was rewarded for helping more than "1,000 vulnerable young people in Spain and India," according to Laureus.
Teenager Arisa Trew won the action sportsperson award after becoming the first female skateboarder to land a 720 in competition.
Dutch wheelchair player Diede de Groot was selected as the sportsperson of the year with a disability after winning her third straight calendar tennis Grand Slam.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello pose for the media after winning "Sport for good 2024" at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham poses for the media after winning "Breakthrough of the year 2024" at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz poses on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Former Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, left, and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham at the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
FC Barcelona's soccer player Aitana Bonmati poses on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, center, Maria Francisca Perello, left, and Ana Maria Parera pose on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, right, and Jelena Ristic pose on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
