Joshua Ralph Announces Retirement from Professional Athletics

Yesterday, Joshua Ralph (Phil Moore, Sydney University) announced his retirement from professional athletics on social media, after a storied decade-long career at the top of the 800m tree in Australian middle-distance running.

Ralph, who finishes his career in the top-20 fastest Australian 800m runners of all-time with a personal best of 1:45.79 (Belgium, 2015), matched and beat some of the best 2-lap athletes our country has ever produced, including the 2014 National Championship Title, where he beat Alex Rowe (who went on to equal the Australian Record of 1:44.40 later than year) and now 4x Olympian Jeffrey Riseley (who is also a 1x 800m National Champion, and 5x 1500m National Champion). A young Peter Bol also featured in that 2014 final.

Relive Ralph's 2014 National Title Win (and Commonwealth Games B Qualifier) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6__S9xtysQ

Perhaps one of the most enthralling races of Ralph's domestic career was five years after his National Championship run, where he came up against a far more mature Bol than he faced in 2014. Bol, who was consistently running 1:45's throughout the 2018 European season, and had a PB of 1:44.56 at that stage, came into the event in peak form, however Ralph closed on Bol every stride down the final straight in one of the most pulsating finishes you could image to a middle-distance National Final. It was Bol who won the title in 1:46:12, and a dip at the line, three hundredths of a second in front of Ralph (1:46.15) who took a brilliant silver, before going on to win the 2019 Ocean Championships in June (1:49.34).

Relive Ralph's incredible 2019 battle with now Olympic Finallist & Oceania Record Holder, Peter Bol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0BV0THLAh4

A two-time World Relays medallist - which included a bronze with the Oceania record-breaking Men's 4x800m team (7:16.30), and a silver with Oceania 800m Women's record-holder & now Olympian Catriona Bisset in the Mixed 2x2x400m - Ralph was a brilliant temmate in several international relay teams. He ends his career with four World Relay Championships (Bahamas 2014, Bahamas 2015, Bahamas 2017, Yokohama 2019), two World Championships (Moscow 2013, Beijing 2015) and two Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018).

We'd like to congratulate Joshua on a fabulous career, and to his coach Phil Moore, and we wish him all the best in the next steps of his career and life in Belgium.

From Josh Ralph's (@ralphy800) Instagram & Facebook:

"The time has come to turn the page and begin a new chapter in my life. I have made the decision to retire from professional athletics. This is a decision that I have wrestled with, as running has been what has defined me for most of the last decade. My career in athletics has taken me to over 60 countries around the world, and has taught me countless life lessons that I am still discovering today, and for this I will forever be thankful for the opportunities that athletics has given me.

I am proud of what I achieved over these last 10 years, including being Australian Champion, competing at 2 World Championships, 2 Commonwealth Games and 4 World Relay Championships, and running a qualifier for the Olympics.

I have struggled with some major injuries in the last several years, the last one suffering a herniated disc in my lower back in January. I can feel that my body has reached its limit in high performance, as each time I come back to form I get injured again. This is the reality of sport!

First of all a huge thanks to my coach Phil Moore. Without this man I would have never achieved everything that I have. His knowledge, patience and kindness have been the cornerstone of my career. Secondly to my manager Nic Bideau for your wisdom, patience and professionalism, I thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thirdly to Sydney University Athletics Club for your continued support both financially and academically over the last 10 years. Fourthly to my Belgian running family Team RocknRun and Alain Decors for welcoming me in Belgium and pushing me through the last years of my career. And finally to my fiancée Anne-Laure Fonsny, my family and friends who have been my rock through the highs and lows of professional sport.

I can happily say that I am at peace with my decision, and I am excited for the next chapter of my life . I am incredibly thankful for my career. I will never stop running, it is my greatest passion! You will still see me at the track and on trails but from now in a different capacity, whether it be for pleasure or for coaching. Thanks to everyone for all your support over the years, it’s been an incredible ride!"

Photo Credit: EPA