Shaun Koen is a South African professional wrestler. He is the owner and promoter of the Africa Wrestling Alliance and is the promotion's current African Heavyweight Champion. Koen is a second-generation professional wrestler; his father Jackie Koen was also a competitive professional wrestler. Professional wrestling career Early career 1987–1989 Shaun Koen was born into a family of athletes in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the son of promoter and multi-time All-Africa Heavyweight Champion Jackie Koen. He made his debut at the age of sixteen in 1987 for his father's promotion, Ring Promotions, losing to veteran Jumbo Swart in Port Elizabeth. In his second-ever match the next night, he lost to Leon Venter at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town. On 8 March 1989, he defeated John Powers. On 12 June 1989, he defeated Gary Albright. On 15 November 1989 in a big eight-man tag team match at the Good Hope Centre, he teamed with Danie Brits, Kalahari Boerboel and Tolla The Animal to beat the kayfabe foreign invading team of Tojo Yamamoto, Akam Singh, The Mexican Phantom and Mr India. On 29 November 1989, Koen beat Greg Bragg. 1990–1994 In 1990, he toured the Catch Wrestling Association in Germany and Austria. His experiences wrestling in Europe would greatly influence his style and future training methods. Upon returning to South Africa, he lost to South African Heavyweight Champion Danie Brits on 22 October 1990. On 27 February 1991, Koen defeated Oscar Strongbow. On 29 June 1991, he lost to champion Danie Brits in a match for the South African Heavyweight Title. He lost in a subsequent rematch on 10 July 1991. In 1992, he won the All-Africa Heavyweight Championship from the Zimbabwean Big Mike Zuma in Cape Town, his first major title victory. On 23 January 1992, he defeated German rival Ulf Herman at the Good Hope Centre. On 13 March 1992, Koen beat Mad Mike in Port Elizabeth. On 22 April 1992, he defeated Steve Regal. On 6 May 1992, he teamed with Danie Brits to defeat Jason The Terrible and Steve Regal. On 19 April 1993, he lost to The Barbarian at Good Hope Centre in Cape Town. On 8 September 1994, Koen teamed with Gama Singh to defeat Bad News Allen and Tim Flowers. In 1994, Koen's father died. Africa Wrestling Federation / Alliance 1995–1999 In 1995, he formed the Africa Wrestling Federation. Koen would train over thirty