A High Court action has begun in Galway to assess personal injury damages brought by a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and member of the Defence Forces against the AXA insurance company.
Martin Ward, from Athlone, Co Westmeath, was involved in a road collision four years ago.
In February 2014, the 32-year-old father of two was a backseat passenger in a car involved in a road collision.
He suffered back, hip and leg injuries and said his career had taken a massive setback.
The AXA insurance company admitted liability for negligence at the time.
Mr Ward is a world kickboxing silver medalist and All-Ireland army boxing champion.
Footage was shown in court of the MMA fighter winning one of a number of competitions after the accident.
Mr Ward said he was not denying that he continued to compete in MMA events, but said his dream of being the best in his field was hugely compromised.
Under cross-examination, Mr Ward told the court he no longer had the explosive power in his legs, which had been his strongest point, and his competitive style was more on reliant on upper body strength than previously.
MMA fighting was his passion, he said, and he trained daily. His physical army activities were also modified as a result of the accident.
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Under cross-examination by counsel for the defence, John Kiely, it was put to Mr Ward that the reason he had never volunteered for overseas duties with the Defence Forces after the accident was because his primary focus was to further his MMA career.
He denied this, saying he was not capable of passing the army fitness test, which involved running.
It was pointed out that the plaintiff went on to win Irish and international kickboxing championships, but was unable to carry out a 3.5km run for an army fitness test.
Mr Ward insisted he was just trying to keep up his fitness levels but had running issues.
Giving evidence, consultant orthopedic surgeon Desmond Mackey said Mr Ward had suffered a hip injury in the accident, which was exacerbated by extreme sports. He said he had made a good recovery, but could not rule out recurring niggling injuries.
Mr Mackey said he found that Mr Ward a committed and genuine soldier and athlete.
The case continues tomorrow.
