Alec is indeed too young to realise that he is a prodigy. He gets up, goes to school, returns home in the afternoon and takes a little rest, does homework. But he leaves the evening free for practising what he enjoys most -- karate.

Born on November 13, 1992 to Dr Ajay Desai, a chemical engineer, and his wife Pragna, Alec was about three years old when he was admitted to a karate class run by the All-India Exerkai Isshinryu Karate Association. Lessons were twice a week.

``The fellow used to cry inconsolably at the beginning, but in less than a year, he picked up the art at a rate that I have not seen in the past 15 years in this institute,'' says Kiran Prajapati, his karate tutor.

The Chennai-based association awarded Alec a black belt and presented him a certificate of appreciation on January 4. Headed by Shihan Syed Ali Husseini, the association is associated with the Japanese Isshinryu school of martial arts. The Isshinryu style is taught at 221 centres in country. The one at Vapi has produced 261 black belts.

Says Alec's father, ``It all started when he was in junior kindergarten and we put him in the karate institute. At first he went to class just twice a week.''

But a year later, after Alec got his yellow belt, his teacher came calling and told Desai that the boy was exceptionally gifted. Prajapati offered to put him through the rigours that would make him fit for the black belt examination.

Alec left for Chennai along with Prajapati on December 16 for the examination, which was being supervised by a master from Japan. Besides performing martial arts, candidates are expected to run a 24 km and complete a number of tough exercises 100 times each.

``Yes, I managed to run the 24 km and was allowed just a two minute rest in between,'' says Alec casually. Prajapati added that most others could not complete the distance.

The association plans to sponsor a U.S. trip for the child so that he may take part in a tournament of the Isshinryu style which is to be held in June.

So how is life for Alec? Still the same. Besides hobbies like cricket and electronic games, he likes to spend time watching, what else, martial arts movies. ``I only watch Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Van Damme movies in English. In Hindi movies, I like ones featuring Akshay Kumar,'' says the little karate master.

The real surprise, however, comes when you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up: ``I want to be a doctor.''

Has Alec pushed his way about with schoolmates? ``No, he's a nice boy and does not lose his temper. I don't remember him getting out of control even once,'' says his mother.