Prince Simeón becomes a Shaolin disciple under the sports influence of Kalina from Bulgaria

At age 18, Simeón Hassan Muñoz of Bulgaria received a new name at the ancient Shaolin Academy: Si Miao Tian, which in Chinese means “Great Buddha disciple of the magnificent sky.” This achievement was no coincidence but the result of a family education centered on a commitment to physical and mental excellence, especially inspired by his mother, Kalina of Bulgaria, a princess known for her dedication to strength training and martial arts.

A family of adventurers and athletes

Kalina of Bulgaria has always been a role model for physical activity within the Bulgarian royal family. Her passion for kung fu, taekwondo, and especially for heavy weight training developed in her an imposing musculature. “I like the philosophy and lifestyle of fitness. Staying in shape while seeking balance and harmony. Mens sana in corpore sano,” the princess expressed in a recent conversation, explaining that physical well-being is inseparable from her personal happiness.

This legacy is not exclusive to Kalina of Bulgaria. Her husband, Antonio José “Kitín” Muñoz Valcárcel, is an experienced explorer who has instilled in Simeón a love for adventure and self-improvement. Together, they form a family where sports and exploration are not hobbies but a way of life. Simeón began practicing kung fu in his childhood in Morocco, showing early on the inherited aptitudes from his parents.

Two months of martial transformation in China

In November 2025, the young prince moved to China with a clear purpose: to complete an intensive program at the Shaolin Academy, located on Mount Song in Henan Province. There, under the tutelage of Grand Master Wang Hengying, Simeón underwent a regimen that started each dawn with outdoor runs and ended at 9:00 p.m. For two months, he lived with classmates who spoke only Chinese, adopted a strictly vegetarian diet, and completely gave up his cellphone, communicating with his parents only at the end of his stay.

The training was rigorous. Simeón perfected techniques such as Yi Jin Jing, a method that alternately works muscles and tendons, and mastered the handling of traditional weapons: the pudao (wide sword), the guandao (scythe known as “green dragon blade”), the jrujie bian (chain whip), and the changqiang (spear considered the “queen of weapons”). As the only Western student at the center, he competed against other students, many of whom were gold and silver medalists in international martial arts competitions.

Kalina’s athletic legacy reflected in her son

What sets Simeón apart is that his martial training was not solely physical. The Shaolin Academy required him to delve into the history of martial arts, the martial spirit, and the cultural essence of self-cultivation. The young prince also participated in academy activities, such as harvesting vegetables for the communal kitchen, and visited institutions dedicated to Buddhist culture, including the Museum of Martial Arts of Mount Shaoshi, where he discovered ancient palm leaf calligraphy.

This holistic approach to kung fu directly reflects the principles Kalina of Bulgaria has instilled in her son: harmony between body and mind, the pursuit of balance, and respect for traditions. The philosophy of “Mens sana in corpore sano” that the princess practices daily found its perfect expression in Shaolin training.

Beyond kung fu: culture, honor, and the future

At the end of his training, representatives of the Shaolin Academy declared: “The young prince has demonstrated the virtuosity of Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaoshi Shan martial arts.” Grand Master Wang Hengying personally awarded him the diploma certifying the first stage of Simeón’s training, after which he returned to Bulgaria with his parents.

His return coincided with a significant event: on January 15, while at his residence in the Vitosha forest, Simeón received news of the death of Princess Irene of Greece, his godmother. Without hesitation, he traveled to Athens to pay his respects. Before continuing with future stages of his martial training, the prince will participate on March 3 in the Liberation Day parade in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, alongside the Youth Guard.

Simeón’s responsibilities are not limited to kung fu. He continues his Arabic studies, will complete certifications as a snowboard instructor and yachting captain. Later, he will undertake a new transoceanic expedition on junks with his family, with Kitín at the helm, demonstrating that in the lineage of Kalina of Bulgaria and Antonio José Muñoz Valcárcel, adventure, learning, and self-improvement are endless traditions.