MICHAEL Parchment can retire happily after fulfilling his ambition of becoming the best heavyweight tae kwon-do fighter in the world.

The 41-year-old from Halliwell proved himself the number one at the Sixth Open World Tae Kwon-do championships in Miami.

It was the ultimate honour for Michael who has been close to the world title twice before when he won bronze medals in 1995 and again three years later.

The twice European champion was determined to take the gold before he finished his competitive career and it all came right in the week-long championships last week.

And he needed all his mental resolve to go all the way as he was suffering with his hamstring throughout the tournament which meant he was unable to move as freely as he wanted to.

"I injured the hamstring going into the championships and had physiotherapy on it right up to competing," said Michael who moved to Bolton from Wolverhampton two years ago to teach the martial art. " It meant I had to fight at half capacity but my determination to win pulled me through."

Michael took up the sport 15 years ago and his world title represents the pinacle of his career.

But he had to work for it against the 30 top heavyweights in the world.

He added: "This is an open championship which means that tae kwon-do players from the different associations are invited so everybody can take part.

"It was a straight knockout basis with bouts lasting two two minute rounds.

"I had to come through about eight bouts to win it and everything went well apart from my second round bout against a heavy lad from Wales who gave me a scare. He knocked me out for a couple of seconds but I revived myself and came back to win.

"I had entered two other world championships and won bronze medals but I wanted to win the gold before I retired."

He teaches tae kwon-do twice a week at Bolton School and also passes on his expertise at the Bolton Arena where he teaches kick aerobics.