Newton's Karate celebrates opening of new facility
For 17 years, Newton's Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo has been teaching martial arts, character development, self-defense and fitness to students in Shelby and around Cleveland County.
This year, the family-friendly dojo opened a new facility after a two-year process and on Saturday, there will be a ribbon cutting and grand opening.
“We got our permits and had our first class Thursday of last week,” said Jimmy Newton, owner. “We've been working on this building for almost two years.”
The grand opening will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at 200 Three Brothers Avenue right across from Ken and Mary’s on Dekalb Street. There will be food trucks and the opportunity to tour the building. He said Mayor Stan Anthony will be attending as well as law enforcement members.
Newton said there was a lot of community support throughout the process of building the new facility and along with a construction loan, they did some fundraising and various family, friends and customers helped install trees, do landscaping and even painted two murals.
“We’ve had a lot of support,” he said.
Newton said he opened Newton’s Karate in 2006, and it is part of an international association.
He said students compete in various competitions around the country, including in the Junior Olympics.
In addition to karate, Newton's offers workout programs, yoga and kickboxing classes, for students of all ages and abilities. Newton said one of the current teachers at the dojo served three tours as a sniper in Vietnam.
He said the students have pulled over 100 medals last season, including 74 golds. He said students won 18 golds at the Junior Olympics,and five people brought back bronze medals at the world championships.
“We’ve got classes for teenagers, kids, adults, we work with law enforcement and military,” Newton said. He said they also work with people with disabilities.
Newton said he’s learned a lot after nearly two decades in business.
“I’m at a point now where the students teach me. How to handle people, how to not give up, keep on pushing through,” he said.
He said his success in business is a result of staying true to the art and what his teachers have taught him.
“What makes it real special is when people come to train, it doesn't matter what their background is, they're just there to improve themselves and be the best person they can be,” Newton said. “You address the class as a whole, but learn how each individual student can be the best version of themselves.”
Reporter Rebecca Sitzes can be reached at rsitzes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Newton's Karate celebrates opening of new facility
