Philip Sahagun

Philip Sahagun is an accomplished martial artist, performer, and coach, and co-founder of K-STAR Training Academy. He is a former martial arts coach and choreographer for Cirque du Soleil.

A third-generation American martial artist, Philip is the son of Joaquin Sahagun, an 8th-degree black belt in Kenpo Karate. He specializes in Kenpo Karate, Kickboxing, Wushu, and Shaolin Kung Fu, and holds a 5th-degree black belt in the Ed Parker Kenpo lineage. Over his competitive career, he has earned distinction as a 7-time National and 3-time International Martial Arts Champion.

At age 17, Philip began training extensively in China under renowned Shaolin master Zhu Tianxi. Two years later, he gained international recognition after placing second in China’s televised competition Kung Fu Star, a large-scale event co-sponsored by the Shaolin Temple with over 100,000 contestants. He has also appeared on Jackie Chan’s Disciple in China and was a semifinalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. In 2008 and 2009, he toured globally as a martial arts performer on Tina Turner’s 50th Anniversary Tour and represented the United States at the World Traditional Wushu Festival, earning both gold and silver medals.

In 2014, Philip joined Cirque du Soleil as a performing artist before transitioning into a coaching and choreography role, where he helped develop martial arts performance for world-class productions. In 2020, he and his wife, Ulziibayar Chimed, founded K-STAR Training Academy in Las Vegas, specializing in martial arts, contortion, and performance training.

Philip was inducted into the Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame in 2021. He later worked as a stunt performer on the film Day Shift, starring Jamie Foxx, and in 2023, was appointed Vice President of the Shaolin Temple North American Association by the Shaolin Temple.

As a coach, Philip has developed national and international champions, including medalists at the World Traditional Wushu Festival, multiple Sanda National Champions, and performers who have gone on to join Cirque du Soleil. Today, he continues to lead international workshops and training camps—including the JCST Action Film Camp with the Jackie Chan Stunt Team—while mentoring the next generation of elite performers at K-STAR Training Academy.