I just read a fascinating story about a Bulgarian prince who decided to become a Shaolin warrior. It’s not just any story, right? Young Simeón Hassan Muñoz from Bulgaria, son of Princess Kalina, recently moved to China to train at the legendary Academia Shaolin on monte Song, provincia de Henan, Buda del magnífico cielo.

What’s interesting is that this guy really took the journey seriously. At 18, after passing all the evaluations set by the master monks, he entered the training complex. He received a new Chinese name: Si Miao Tian, which means "Great Disciple of Buddha of the Magnificent Sky." But here’s the kicker: two months of intense training, starting every day at five in the morning with outdoor runs, ending at nine at night when the lights went out. He lived with classmates who only spoke Chinese, followed a strict vegetarian diet, and completely gave up his cellphone. He could only communicate with his parents after the two months were over.

During his stay at the Academia Shaolin, the prince not only learned kung fu but also studied deeply the history of Shaolin martial arts, the spirit of martial ethics, and the cultural essence of self-cultivation. He trained in special techniques like Yi Jin Jing, which involves alternating work on muscles and tendons, and learned to handle traditional weapons: the pudao ( hoja del dragón verde ), the guadao ( hoja del dragón verde ), the jrujie bian ( látigo de cadena ), and the changquiang ( reina de las armas ). Shaolin kung fu was not just physical movements for him but a complete philosophy of life.

What surprises me most is that he was the only Western student at that center, which they call "in heaven and earth." He even helped harvest vegetables in the garden to prepare the academy’s meals and visited institutions to immerse himself in Buddhist culture. The great master Wang Hengying, who led his training, confirmed that the young prince demonstrated virtuosity in Shaolin kung fu.

Simeón’s family clearly has an adventurous DNA. His father, Kitín Muñoz Valcárcel, is an experienced explorer who instilled a love for adventure in his son. His mother, Princess Kalina, is quite an athlete: she practices kung fu and taekwondo, but her passion is training with heavy loads. She told us that she doesn’t feel good without training—that it’s her way of maintaining balance, harmony, and well-being. Simeón’s grandfather was the last czar of Bulgaria, so the royal lineage has an interesting background.

After completing the first stage of his training as a Shaolin warrior under the name Si Miao Tian, the prince returned to Bulgaria with a diploma certifying his achievement. But this is not the end of his story. Before continuing his experience in Shaolin kung fu, he has pending commitments: he will participate in the Día de la Liberación parade in Sofia on March 3, complete his courses as a patrón de yachting and balsa de juncos, and then embark on a transoceanic family expedition on a junks raft, with his father Kitín as captain. This prince definitely isn’t one to stay still.