Local kickboxer savours national success
Martin Ward with two of his children Rúa, aged 10, and Cúan, aged three.
Martin Ward has accomplished a lot inside the ring.
The 37-year-old has won five national titles alongside being crowned world champion in karate, kickboxing and MMA. However, the owner of Na Fianna Martial Arts, which has centres in Roscommon, Athlone (on the old Roscommon Road) and Moate, states that his latest national title was the sweetest victory to date.
Speaking to the after his WKO (World Kickboxing Organisation) heavyweight victory over David Hayes of Waterford, Ward described his victory as highly emotional as he paid homage to his late father Peter, who died while serving his country in the Lebanon.
“On the night I wore my dad’s shorts. I could never bring myself to wear them before this. My granddad wore them, then my dad wore them, and I wore them. P. Ward (his father’s name was Peter) was written on the front of the shorts and, to be honest, they were better quality than a lot of shorts you would wear today. It was nice to wear them and hopefully my young fella (Cúan), who is three years old, can wear them too in the future.
"I stopped because I could no longer go up as my dad was big into martial arts. But I went back into it again when I was 20 years of age. I changed my whole life around and I committed myself. I won a few tournaments in karate and then I won a world title in 2008.
“Then I came back and joined a K1 kickboxing club. I have a few Irish titles there and then I travelled around the world. I stopped because of Covid but I was doing a bit of training. I stopped for four and a half years but I went back at it, and I will keep it going for another while,” he exclaimed.
Ward brings his expertise to Roscommon Town on Fridays as he coaches groups in The Quad, located in the heart of the town.
He appreciates the support that Roscommon has provided his business and fighting career.
“With Roscommon, you couldn’t ask for a better place than The Quad. It is a very busy spot and there is a consistent flow of people. I teach there on a Friday and there is always great support. I don’t really have to advertise so we are hoping to keep growing martial arts in the area,” he noted.
The 4th Dan black belt’s love of martial arts is evident. When asked where his passion for combat sport came from, Ward references his father as his inspiration for establishing Na Fianna Martial Arts.
“Na Fianna Martial Arts started when my father put on my karate suit when I was six years of age. That was when my journey started. I was in the army and training people in martial arts on the side. I didn’t see it as a business. It was a hobby. I got really committed and passionate about it and I decided to go and try make a business out of it.
When Ward casts his eye to the future, he hopes to build on his national title when he competes at the World Championships in August. He aims to make his sons Kailum and Cúan proud while his daughter Rúa will also travel and compete in England.
“Personally, I would like to finish my career with a couple of pro kickboxing fights. The organisation I won my national title with, the WKO, are holding the World Championships in England in August. Eleven fighters from our club, myself included, are going over are going over.
“With the three martial arts centres, I want to keep growing and add to the systems I have there now. The aim is just to keep building everything,” he concluded.
