TWO fighting sisters have travelled around the world and returned with medals.

Maia and Neve Ewing were representing Scotland at the K1 Youth League competition in Mexico.

Karate competitions across the globe have been sidelined for much of the last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But, with restrictions easing, the duo are getting back out to competitions, with a busy summer ahead.

Their dad, Chris, is no stranger to success himself, having won many titles, including the Scottish, British, European and Commonwealth Championships.

He travelled with 12-year-old Maia and 17-year-old Neve to the competition in Mexico.

He said: “I totally love the competition side.

“It is good but stressful being the dad/coach.

“I do get a buzz from it and the kids are doing well.”

Maia, who is a first Dan black belt, was competing in the 12-13-year-olds +47kg category.

The event saw competitors from across the globe taking part as Maia defeated her German rival in the final to clinch gold.

Older sister Neve, who is in S6 at Ross High School in Tranent, was competing in the 16-17-year-olds +59kg category.

The second Dan black belt took bronze at the event.

However, the family were not home in Tranent for long before they travelled on to Iceland.

The sisters were competing in the Reykjavik International Games, with Maia, who is in S1 at the Tranent secondary school, clinching a second gold and Neve again finishing on the podium and taking silver.

Chris, who started karate aged six, said that they had a busy few months ahead.

He told Courier Sport: “We go to Dublin next week.

“We have got test matches with the Irish national team.

“We are quite far behind compared to the rest of Europe; they have been competing quite a lot.

“Then we are off to Sweden in three weeks for the Swedish Open.

“The calendar is filling up pretty fast.

“We have got Japan in the summer, Croatia and China – there are lots coming up – all the big world events for the ranking points.”

The two sisters train in Wado-Kai, which is a blend of traditional Japanese karate and jujitsu.

However, when it comes to the competition, it is open to all styles of karate.

They train at Chris Ewing Karate in Musselburgh, which has enjoyed further success with karatekas at competitions in Iceland and Spain.

Paul Reynolds, headteacher at Ross High School, offered his congratulations to the sisters.

He said: “It is wonderful to hear both Maia and Neve are doing so well.

“I know how much hard work they put into this, so it really is fantastic to hear this is leading to such great success.

“All at Ross High School are very proud of them and wish both girls all the very best in all future competitions.”

Mark Urwin, East Lothian senior Active Schools co-ordinator, added: “Both Maia and Neve are fantastic sportspeople and fully deserve their success as recognition of the immense hard work and time they and their family put into their sport.

“I am so pleased for them and I’m confident we shall see their success continue and grow.”