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Sensei Anthony Ewing greets a student on the floor to perform his kata at his new Ewing Pai’Lum Kung Fu dojo Wednesday. The new studio is on North Magnolia, has been open two weeks and already boasts 10 students. Ewing once instructed at the Boys and Girls Club but was forced to leave.
Back in action
Martial arts instructor returns with dojo of his own
Published November 18. 2004 7:30AM
By RICHARD BURTON
SPORTS WRITER
OCALA - Sensei Anthony Ewing never gave up. For 10 years, the 45-year old had a dream of opening up his own karate dojo and recently this dream became a reality. Ewing’s Pai Lum Kung Fu opened Nov. 1 and the 30-year veteran of the sport couldn’t be happier.
“It’s a blessing,” said Ewing, who credited the support of parents such as Sheryl and Bret Cyr as being huge forces in his organization’s success. “(Having the dojo) gives me a chance to see the smiles on the kids’ faces and our performance factor when up since we moved in.”
Ewing has led by example and it has rubbed off on his students.
As a child, he looked up to his sensei as a father figure and has tried to do the same for his students.
“Our motto is help the kids help you,” he said. "Our program has a family atmosphere. Everyone has each other’s phone numbers and all of the kids respect one another as well as all of the adults.
“We are hoping that all of our kids grow up to be good role models within the community.”
With the struggles surrounding opening his own dojo, Ewing thought about retiring, but he was quickly swayed from giving up on his dream.
“Every time I thought about it one of the kids would come up to me and tell me they really wanted me to train them,” Ewing said. “This program is geared towards kids and they make all of the difference.”
Ewing’s organization excelled at the Kids Only Martial Arts Tournament held recently in Tampa.
Five of his students competed and brought home 17 medals and three Grand Champion belts.
“It brought tears to my eyes to see their success,” Ewing said. "I was never a quitter and neither are these kids. They worked so hard and they kept believing in me.
“I’m so proud to have them as part of my organization.”
Jessica Cyr, 6, won first place in traditional forms, point sparring, musical forms, weapons and synchronized forms on her way to winning the Grand Champion belt for the 5-and-6-year-old age division.
Laura Cyr, 10, meanwhile, won first place in point sparring, musical forms, synchronized forms and second place in traditional forms, which led her to taking the Grand Champion for the 9-and-10-year-old age group.
Megan Cyr, 11, won first place in traditional forms and took third in point sparring.
Tosha Wall, 16, won first place in traditional forms, point sparring and musical forms. She was also fifth in weapons.
Finally, Mekhi Maxey, 5, won first place in traditional forms and point sparring in the special needs division and also won a Grand Champion belt.
[u]Ewing’s non-profit organization accepts children with special needs and also offers a fitness education program.[/u]
His dojo is located at 1469 N. Magnolia in Ocala. For more information, he can be reached at 245-2870 or 553-9671.
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Heheh, a krotty instructor starting a kung-fu school school?
Not like the masses know the difference anyways.