TWO high-flying karate kids have made history after becoming the youngest black belts in their club's 31-year history.
Best friends Toby Kidd and Jay Georgiou-Young, both ten, have become the youngest black belts in the history of Brentwood's Kazen Kai Karate Club after being awarded their belts last month.
It does help that Toby's father Simon, who has taught at the club since he founded it, won a gold medal as a member of the Great Britain team in the World Championships in 1988.
Jay's two elder brothers, who are now 13 and 15, also received their black belts at the same club.
Yet that has only made life as potential champions all the tougher.
Toby, who goes to Brentwood Prep School in Middleton Hall Lane, said: "I've been training really, really hard and been going to all the sessions I can possibly get to. I've been really trying my hardest.
"My dad is the reason why I have been progressing.
"He has been pushing me a lot further.
"Because I'm his son, he wants me to be the best.
"I just like the adrenaline the sport gives you.
"You've got to have strength, for the kicks and punches, and it's important that you have agility, so you don't get tired halfway through.
"It's important you have control because otherwise you are just going to fall over.
"My flexibility has got a lot better. I've been trying to improve that. and I can almost do the splits now.
"If you want to kick someone in the face and they are taller than you then you got to be flexible to reach.
"I'm really looking forward to the competition in Malta next year. It will be good fun. I'm not going to mind if I lose, I just want to have fun."
He added: "Even though the teacher is my dad, he treats me just the same as any other member of the club.
"My goals is to reach the world championship and be one of the best in the world.
"I'll be 18 by the time the Olympics come round in 2020."
And, like Jay, he has to wait until he is 16 before he can progress to 2nd Dan.
Jay, who lives in Warley and goes to St Peter's Primary School, South Weald, said: "I remember when I was little looking up at the black belt and thinking how good they were and now I've got one.
"It's amazing.
"Basically to get a black belt you have to repeat perfectly all the moves you've ever done and remember them in Japanese.
"My elder brothers are both black belts and they have inspired me to get mine.
"Now I just want to carry on with the competition side of things.
"Hopefully, it will be an Olympic sport in 2020 and I want to teach when I'm older as well."
"Now I'm looking forward to going to Malta next year and Belgium in 2013."
Mr Kidd said: "They have both done really well – most youngsters take about eight years to get a black belt and get it between the ages of 12 and 14.
"They are really good mates, they started together and have a really healthy competition between them."
Jay's mum Soulla, 49, who is a brown belt in Karate, said: "We are really proud of him it has taken lot of effort and dedication.
"He's got the techniques now so hopefully he will just get better as he builds up his strength."
Tony's mum Faye added: "I am very proud of Toby's achievement.
"He has worked extremely hard for his black belt and has been totally committed to his chosen sport over the past six years."