Ethan Owers, seven, has gained a black belt in kickboxing

by Julia Roberts

Little Ethan Owers might be pint-sized, but he is certainly a knock-out in the kickboxing ring.

The seven-year-old, from Gravesend, has become the youngest member at the gym where he trains to gain his black belt in the martial art.

The youngster went through a gruelling four-hour grading session at Combat Camp, in Dartford, which included 100 each of press-ups, sit-ups and squats.

"We are so proud of him," said mum Kelly. "He is a tiny seven-year-old and a little redhead so the odds are stacked against him when it comes to being picked on.

"To become a black belt has involved going through eight different levels with each grade taking about three months to achieve.

"It has involved a lot of hard work and training and Ethan was over the moon when he found out he had made black belt."

Pint-sized kickboxer Ethan Owers is coached by his dad Jason

Ethan, who lives with his parents and sister in Milton Road, has been training in the sport since he was three.

His success is definitely in the genes. Kelly, 27, and dad Jason, 35, are both coaches and competitors in martial arts and Kelly's dad, Martin Young, was a Kent boxing champion.

Ethan trains twice a week with youngsters at Combat Camp, which is run by his parents.

Despite his compact size, the Holy Trinity Primary pupil is also keen to join in with the adult training sessions on a Saturday.

"His aim is to become a kickboxing coach and then take over the gym when we are too old to carry on," laughed Kelly.

"But he definitely wants to compete so we may have a future champion as well."