NIGEL Codling from Penistone has become one of the best combat sportsmen in the world despite earning a living out of telling children to stop fighting.

The 35-year-old is headteacher at Greengate Lane Primary in High Green but in his spare time has a black belt in karate and has won 12 world championship medals.

His most recent success was at the world championships in Florida last month where he won bronze and silver medals competing against some of the world’s top martial arts experts.

Nigel, of Castle Street, was representing Great Britain but missed out on most of his training because he has recently had a baby boy.

He said: “Six years ago I was a complete martial arts virgin and now I am a 12 times world championship medallist.

“I really didn’t think I would come back with anything from Florida because having the new baby put my training to pot. I didn’t expect to be as successful as I was.”

Nigel has fought all over the world in the six years he has practised karate. He got into it to help recover from a muscle injury and ended up obsessed with the sport.

His pupils know all about his success and he has set up a club in the school to train some of them to follow in his footsteps.

He added: “There is more to it than fighting. You have to really put your mind into it. It is great for beating stress because you get so immersed in it.

“Still I have to admit it is a bit of an irony that I spend my days telling the kids not to fight.”