A KARATE expert has realised a dream by opening his own dojo in Musselburgh.

Chris Ewing, 41, from Tranent, is set to continue training the new generation of ‘karate kids’ from his newly opened base at 105B High Street.

He was formerly holding sessions in community centres, school halls and sports centres in East Lothian and beyond.

“This is a dream for martial arts instructors – it is something special,” said Chris, who held his first class in 2005 in Tranent Parish Church Hall after opening CEK (Chris Ewing Karate).

Originally from Portobello, he started karate in 1986, at the age of six, when he attended training at Meadowbank in Edinburgh with his dad David, from Prestonpans, who was manager at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home until he retired, and a 6th Dan (grade) black belt.

Chris attended the Meadowbank Karate Group run by Hamish Adam, 8th Dan, progressing through the various ‘Kyu’ grades. He received his black belt 1st Dan in 1994.

CEK is a family affair, with Chris’ wife Emma-Jane handling the administration and mum Valerie attending to the registration.

An opening reception was held at the dojo to say ‘thank you’ to sponsors and contractors.

New toilets, a chill-out zone for the students and waiting room for parents have been created.

The karate school caters for all standards of students, both children and adults, from beginners to experts.

It has seen students representing Team GB and competing in Scottish, British, European and world championships, with a host of medals won.

Chris, a 5th Dan, has won many titles including the Scottish, British, European and Commonwealth Championships.

It was after achieving his Scottish All Styles (heavyweight) and Wado European Champion (heavyweight) titles that he decided to retire from the national squad and take up coaching.

He said the students trained via Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic and he gave free karate lessons to parents and children as part of the Active Schools scheme during lockdown.

The Ewing family have three black belts to their credit after, some years ago, Neve Ewing joined her father and grandfather to become the third black belt at the age of just 10.