An aspiring athlete has been awarded a million dollar payout after suffering major spinal injuries while using faulty gymnastics equipment.

35-year-old Damien broke his neck during a home workout as he tried to complete a muscle up, pulling one’s entire body weight over a bar or handles using their hands, using wooden gymnastic rings he bought from a major retailer.

The former dogman and rigger, who is also an avid CrossFit athlete, told the Herald Sun of the harrowing moment he suffered the injury in October 2020, which has left him unable to provide for his family or compete as a professional athlete.

“When I pulled myself up to get on top of the rings, they both exploded in my hands, which sent me backwards, falling directly on top of my head,” he said. “I immediately felt (a) tingling and numbing feeling throughout my body, and a huge amount of pain and pressure in my traps and neck area. Blood was coming out of my head.

“I now have a fused neck with a part of my hip bone in my neck. I have metal rods in the back of my neck and a big metal plate in the front of my neck.”

Arnold Thomas and Becker lawyer Travis Fewster, who represented Damien, said Damien suffered his “catastrophic” injury as a result of the brand’s failure to make sure the rings were safe to use.

“He is lucky to be alive but he will have to live with the effects of these injuries for the rest of his life,” he said.

“We can’t take away Damien’s trauma and pain but this is a successful outcome that will help Damien and his family move forward.”