Olympic shooting legend Jin Jong-oh retires as political career looms

Jin Jong-oh poses for a photo during his retirement ceremony held at the Brion Company office in eastern Seoul on Monday. [NEWS1]

Korean sports shooting legend Jin Jong-oh announced his retirement from the sport on Monday after a 27-year medal-rich career.

Jin, 44, held his retirement ceremony at his agency Brion Company in eastern Seoul.

“I decided to retire after the Tokyo Olympics, “ Jin said on Monday. “I said I would go for the Paris Olympics at the time, but I thought I should put [my gun] down.”

Jin saw great success on the international stage, winning a total of six medals — four gold and two silver — across four Olympics, making him the Korean athlete with the most Olympic medals ever alongside former archer Kim Soo-nyung.

He took silver at his first Olympics in 2004, before going on to win three straight gold medals in the men’s 50 meter pistol in 2008, 2012 and 2016 Games, becoming the first-ever shooter to achieve the feat.

He also dominated at the Asian Games, winning three gold, four silver and four bronze medals across four Asiads.

“If I were born again, I would still be a shooter,” Jin said. “I still like guns to this day, and I still feel excited when I go to a shooting range. I want to remain as a shooter.”

After the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he pursued his career in administrative roles and served as a co-chairperson of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics until it finished in Korea on Feb. 1.

Following the end of the youth Olympics, he joined the ruling People Power Party on Feb. 5 ahead of the general elections on April 10.

Whether he will make a bid for a proportional representation seat remains to be seen.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]