TRAINEE teacher Andy Parr will be hoping to teach his Tae Kwon-Do opponents a lesson at the Four Nations Tournament in Barcelona this weekend.

Parr, 28, has earned his first Great Britain call-up for the European competition that will see him face fighters from Spain, France and Italy in a round-robin format.

The third Dan black belt qualified for the competition by finishing second in the middleweight class at this year's British Championships.

Parr won five fights to reach the final of that event before being beaten over two rounds by Dave Honey.

But the York student will be required to step up a class in Spain, having accepted the vacant light-heavyweight place available on an eight-strong GB team, which also includes world champions Warren Weiff and Gordon Fearn.

About his trip to Catalonia, Parr said: "It will be difficult because I am going up a weight and, even though five kilos does not sound much, it can make quite a bit of difference. I am quite tall but reasonably light, though, so I'm hoping that speed will work to my advantage."

Parr has been practicing Tae Kwon-Do for 16 years and has run a class in York for the last nine months on Tuesday and Thursday nights between 7 and 8pm.

A dozen men and women, including two juniors, currently attend the classes at All Saints School's upper site on Mill Mount Lane but Parr would like to introduce new members to the sport, regardless of gender and age.

He added: "Tae Kwon-Do is a fast-moving and high-kicking impact martial art. It's about kicking and punching rather than throwing people around and is excellent for fitness."

For more information on Parr's TAGB Tae Kwon-Do class visit the website yorktagb.co.uk or call 07773 393927.

Updated: 10:25 Saturday, March 04, 2006