Two local fighters from Shaolin Tigers Martial Arts HQ in Wokingham, one of the longest-standing martial arts clubs in the region, have made a big impact at a recent high-profile event in Birmingham hosted by SKS Empire, a brand renowned for its strong Thailand roots and professional-level competitions.
Owen Oscar, 19, and Gregor Carrigan, 14, both entered the event as relative newcomers, having only started training less than a year ago, but their performances showed they were more than ready for the challenge.
Owen impressed with relentless pressure and precise use of elbows, knocking his opponent down several times. His strength, fitness, and tactical awareness marked him as a fighter to watch in upcoming competitions. Gregor dominated his bout with powerful low kicks and throws, keeping his opponent off balance and showcasing an impressive display of technique and strength.
SKS Empire, with its strong Thailand connections—the home of Muay Thai—is known for attracting top-tier fighters and providing a true test of skill, discipline, and the spirit of the sport. Competing under this banner is a major achievement, and winning at this level highlights the quality of training both fighters have received.
Both Owen and Gregor train at STMA HQ, located off Molly Millars Lane in Wokingham. The gym offers multi-discip
line training in Muay Thai, K1, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and pushes its fighters hard through sparring, running, and fight-specific conditioning. Their dedication and hard work have paid off in producing two champions in less than a year of training.
Their coach Nadia Aquilina-Forde said: “We are incredibly proud of Owen and Gregor’s success, hard work, and dedication, achieved all in such a short space of time and myself and the rest of the coaching team at STMA Wokingham will support them throughout their journey as we will with all our members”.
