KARATE kid Mitchell Wallis has turned the tables on his dad, kicking him off the top spot at the family home.

The ten-year-old has beaten dad Martin, 44, in the race for a black belt, proving he’s more master then apprentice.

Mitchell of Pin Mill, Basildon, first took to the sport when he was just six and now four years later he has just been awarded with his black belt after passing a thorough test.

The sports-mad school pupil first heard about the Sessen Ryu Karate classes, held at the Eversley Leisure Centre in Pitsea, from a friend and is now a passionate devotee of the Japanese martial art.

Dad Martin, and mum Karen, 41, said they were immensely proud of their son’s achievement.

Martin, a window cleaner who remains one level behind his son as a brown belt, said he was inspired to start his own training after regularly taking Mitchell to the martial arts school. He now helps train the youngsters at the Pitsea sessions. He said: “We’re unbelievably proud of him.

“When I look at him and how he pays so much attention to what he does, it really fills me up with pride.

“To get the black belt he has to show everything he learned over the four years.

“The main challenge of it is to learn the respect and discipline, which can be quite daunting, but he always rises to the challenge.”

Martin, who will take his black belt exam in October, said the Eversley Primary School pupil was completely determined to keep up his high kicking karate lessons.

Albie O’Connor, who teaches Mitchell at the Sessen Ryn school, said ten-year-old black belt pupils were not uncommon nowadays, but most of the children reached that stage at secondary school.

He said: “He is an excellent pupil. Very dedicated and disciplined.”