Oliver Johnston has accepted his limitations but intends to continue playing squash.
He is still the best player in Otago and ranks in the New Zealand top five.
Johnston (24) made a significant breakthrough in 2003 when he represented New Zealand at the world senior championships for the first time.
The New Zealand team finished 17th at the event in Austria and Johnston was the first Otago player to represent New Zealand at that level since Don Green in 1962.
He was ranked sixth that year and was on the verge of an illustrious career in the sport.
Johnston was the Otago squash player of the year for three years from 2001 to 2003 when a serious injury stopped his career.
The trouble showed up when he returned from the senior world championships and stopped him in his tracks when he played in a tournament at Hong Kong.
He saw the best medical people in the country as well as alternative therapists.
His problem was eventually diagnosed, after exploratory surgery by the country's top hip surgeon, as developing from a loose hip joint.
"My hip doesn't fit into the socket," Johnston said.
"The soft cartilage breaks down and my hip gets sore.
"If I train consistently, it gets very sore. If I just train three times a week, it is OK."
The injury has shattered Johnston's dreams of becoming a professional and playing in major tournaments around the world.
"I'm still able to play and I think I'm good enough to make the top four in New Zealand," Johnston said.
"I can still give the top guys a run for their money."
He proved it in 2007 when he was ranked in the top five and narrowly missed selection in the New Zealand team for the world championships.
Johnston demonstrated his ability in Christchurch last weekend when he won the South Island championships.
"I still want to be ranked high nationally," he said.
"But I won't be able to play on the world circuit."
Johnston intends travelling to Buenos Aires in August to play in club competitions and do some coaching.
"I will be away for about three months and then come back home and get a job as an an accountant."
