As part of Doors Open Toronto, this special presentation takes place within the half-sized wrestling ring of Jessica Stockholder’s The Squared Circle: Ringing. The elite fighters of the local Muay Thai gym—Fighters United—will present their Wai Kru, followed by sparring sessions. The performance explores themes of connection, community, and gathering, with a nod to both the physical contact being made and its intentional avoidance.
The performing fighters—Kent, Mave, Fiona, and Julia—are skilled and competitive fighters who have trained intensively for years. Each brings a personal interpretation of the sport, expressed through the technique and fluidity of their movements. Their unique fighting styles make the group both diverse and compelling to watch as they spar and exchange in the ring.
About Fighters United
Founder, Nigel Soreta, has been practicing Muay Thai for the past 22 years and started Fighters United in 2021. His desire to launch Fighters United derived from the belief that everyone has their own fight in life. In his own words, “our vision is to create a sanctuary where individuals from all walks of life can come together and better themselves through Muay Thai. We aim to build a community where people can strive in Martial Art, and also transfer those skills into their daily lives. Muay Thai is for everyone, and can be started at a very young age. It is not just a great and challenging combat sport to learn, but also a philosophy of life. It teaches values and provides students with tools that will help them overcome obstacles they might encounter in life.”
“My love for martial arts started in the Philippines, at a very young age. I transitioned to boxing at 14, and found my love for Muay Thai when I emigrated to Canada, at the age of 17. On many occasions, Muay Thai saved my life and I have learned so much from the sport. It taught me to persevere, to be resilient and most importantly, it taught me compassion. Teaching Muay Thai has become my way of giving back through a sport that has given me so much. My hope is to pass on the knowledge and wisdom I have learned over the years, to the new generations.”
