Published: January 7, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Olympian Jinson Johnson on Wednesday announced his retirement from competitive athletics, drawing the curtain on a decade-and-a-half-long career. “From a boy with a dream, the journey started in Kolkata and reached the Asian Games podium in Hangzhou 2023,” Johnson said in an emotional social media post. “Thank you athletics. Some journeys are measured in metres and seconds. Some are measured in tears, sacrifices, faith and the people who never let you fall,” he added.
Growing up, the 200m was Johnson’s preferred event, but as he matured, he transitioned to longer distances after recognising they were better suited to his strengths. He qualified for the men’s 800m at the Rio Olympics in 2016 but finished fifth in his heat, missing out on a place in the semifinals.
His participation at Rio 2016 made him the first Indian male runner to qualify for the 800m at the Olympics since Sriram Singh in 1980. Injuries and contracting COVID ruled him out of participation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Jinson Johnson won a gold medal in the 1500m and a silver in the 800m at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Photo: Mint
However, Johnson won a gold medal in the 1500m and a silver in the 800m at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. He went on to bag a bronze medal in 1500m at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Johnson also won the silver and bronze medals at the Asian Athletics Championships in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Johnson holds National record in 1500m
Johnson, who has a tattoo of the Olympic rings on his right arm, holds the National record in 1500m. He set the 1500m record at the ISTAF Berlin meet in 2019 with a time of timing of 3:35.24. Johnson had also held the 800m national record in the past.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTMZS2iE29q/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Below is the full text of his post on his Instagram account.
From a boy with dream started the journey from Kolkata and reached up to Asian Games podium in Hangzhou 2023.
Thank you Athletics.
Some journeys are measured in meters and seconds.
Some are measured in tears, sacrifices, faith, and the people who never let you fall.
My journey began in 2007 in Kolkata, with my first school National medal. I did not know then where this road would lead me. I only knew one thing – I wanted to run for India.
What followed was a life shaped by relentless training, quiet struggles, painful injuries, lonely tracks, comebacks that tested my soul, and moments that made every sacrifice worth it.
In 2018, at the National Inter-State Athletics Championship in Guwahati, I broke the 42-year-old National Record in 800m. The same year at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, I broke the 23-year-old National Record in the 1500m. Breaking two National Records and contributing to Indian Athletics remains one of the proudest moments of my life.
I was blessed to represent my Country at the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Every time I wore the tricolour, I ran not just with my legs, but with my heart.
In 2018, I was ranked the top athlete in Asia, which gave me the opportunity to represent Asia-Pacific at the IAAF World Continental Cup in Ostrava. That year was truly momentous-I won gold in the 1500m and Silver in the 800m at the Jakarta Asian Games.
Everything was going well until 2019, when COVID and a severe Achilles tendon injury hit my career hard. After three long years of setbacks and recovery, I returned to win a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023-my final race at the National and International level.
This journey was never mine alone.
I bow in deep gratitude to all my coaches who guided me through every phase of my career. Your belief carried me on days when my body was tired, and my mind was heavy. I am forever thankful to the Athletics Federation of India, Reliance Foundation,S ports Authority of India, Army Sports Institute,851 Lt Regt Artillery Centre and all the media people.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes-often unseen but always felt. To my training partners and fellow athletes, thank you for pushing me every single day. You turned pain into progress and struggle into strength. I would not be the athlete I am without you.
To my family and friends — my greatest blessing. You stood by me through injuries, disappointments, and long absences. Your prayers, patience, and love kept me standing when I felt broken. Every medal, every record, every achievement belongs to you.
As I step away from competitive athletics, I do so with humility, gratitude, and peace. The track taught me discipline, resilience, and respect. Though I retire from racing, athletics will always live in my heart.
Thank you for everything.
Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you, India.
With love and gratitude,
Jinson Johnson
