At Stride Muay Thai in Scarborough, we believe martial arts is more than just kicks, punches, and pad work—it’s a path to personal growth, discipline, and leadership. Watching young students step into the gym for the first time and grow into strong, confident individuals is one of the most rewarding parts of being a coach. And few stories reflect that journey better than those of Nico Birch and Noah Giraldo.
A Muay Thai Journey That Began in Scarborough
Nico and Noah started training with us as youth—Nico as a pre-teen, and Noah as a teenager. They came to Stride Muay Thai for different reasons, but both found something that would shape not only their athletic careers, but their lives.
From their early days in our kids and teen programs, they showed something special: curiosity, heart, and a willingness to work hard. Over the years, they’ve grown into incredible martial artists—but more importantly, they’ve become outstanding young adults. Through Muay Thai, they’ve learned discipline, resilience, respect, and perseverance. And they now bring those lessons into every aspect of their lives.
Leaders in Our Gym and Beyond
In many gyms, values like Respect, Honour, and Pride can become just words—spoken without much weight. But at Stride, and especially in the actions of Nico and Noah, these values are lived. Whether they’re helping coach our Junior Muay Thai program or encouraging their teammates during a tough session, they lead by example.
Their presence in the gym has helped shape the culture we’re so proud of here at Stride Muay Thai in Scarborough. They’re humble, dedicated, and always willing to give back. It’s no surprise that many of our younger students now look up to them, saying things like:
“I want to be a Champion like Noah.”
“I want to be just like Nico.”
Representing Canada on the World Stage
We’re incredibly proud to announce that both Nico and Noah have been selected to represent Canada at the 2025 IFMA Senior World Championships this May in Antalya, Turkey.
- Noah will be competing in the U23 division for the second consecutive year after an impressive showing at the 2024 championships.
- Nico is making her Senior World Championship debut after previously representing Canada at the Youth level. She’ll also be competing in the U23 division.
Their dedication to the sport—and to representing our community—is unwavering. And their accomplishments reflect not only their talent, but the strength of the Muay Thai community we’ve built together in Scarborough.
The Reality: No Funding for Canadian Muay Thai Athletes
As Muay Thai grows in Canada and earns more recognition on the global stage, there’s still a harsh truth: there is no federal funding for Muay Thai athletes in Canada. That means athletes like Nico and Noah must cover all expenses on their own—registration fees, travel, accommodations, and equipment.
To help support their journey, we’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign to ease the financial burden and allow them to focus fully on their training and preparation.
If you’ve ever trained at Stride, been inspired by these two, or believe in supporting the future of martial arts in Canada, we’d be deeply grateful for your support. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
👉 Click here to donate to their GoFundMe.
(You can also find the link in our Instagram bio: @stridemuaythai)
Join Us in Supporting the Future of Martial Arts in Scarborough
Nico and Noah’s story is proof of what martial arts in Scarborough can do—how it can shape strong, grounded, and passionate individuals who go on to inspire others. At Stride Muay Thai, we’re committed to continuing this tradition, helping students of all ages find strength, purpose, and community through Muay Thai.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating their journey and supporting their next chapter on the world stage.
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Coach Lanny
Stride Muay Thai | Scarborough’s Home for Authentic Muay Thai
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