Cebuano ‘Shaolin’ to join Muay Thai tilt in Thailand

CEBU, Philippines – After dominating the kickboxing scene in the national level, the youthful Cebuano martial artist Ken ‘Shaolin’ Caniga braces for a tougher challenge as he will fight for the flag and country in the King’s Cup Muay Thai tournament in Thailand on August 14-20.

Caniga, who led Team Cebu City in winning the overall championship in Muay Thai event of the Batang Pinoy National Championships last month in Bulacan, will surely be tested as he goes up against a bunch of elite kickboxers his age and caliber from all over the world.

A double gold medallist in the Nationals for two consecutive years, Caniga will showcase his wares in two disciplines, the Wai Khru or Muay Thai dance and combat sparring.

“He has trained for more than a month in Manila with the national team and I have been receiving positive feedbacks on Ken’s performance in training and sparring,” said Caniga’s uncle and head coach Master Benigno ‘Ekin’ R. Caniga Jr.

Ken has improved a lot since he was discovered by the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines’ officials during a match in the  ‘Bakbakan sa Sugbu’, a grassroots development program of the Cebu City Sports Commission led by chairman Edward Hayco for combat sports.

“Ken has not stopped training. The good thing is that he has done a great job in balancing his studies and athletic responsibilities," said Master Ekin. “I am confident of his chances even if he's going up against a strong field of opposition. This tournament will surely boost his experience and will make him a more skillful fighter." (FREEMAN)