British hurdler David King has officially announced his retirement from athletics, bringing an impressive career spanning over a decade to a close.
The 31-year-old, a six-time British champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympian, shared the news through an emotional post on his LinkedIn page.
“I guess it’s time to say it. I’m officially retired from athletics,” King wrote.
“Track and field has been my world for over a decade. It’s now been nearly a year since my last race. After last season, I was certain it was time to step away, and this time away has only reinforced that decision. I’m incredibly proud of all I’ve accomplished, and I am so excited that the rest of my life has begun.”
A Career of Consistency and Character
Hailing from Plymouth, King built a solid reputation on the track as one of Britain’s most dependable sprint hurdlers. He competed at the highest levels, reaching the semi-finals of the men’s 110m hurdles at the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Among his standout moments was a dramatic appearance at the 2022 World Indoor Championships, where he famously progressed to the final after a rare draw-lots decision, having clocked an identical semi-final time to Japan’s Shusei Nomoto.
King also represented Great Britain at three European Championships, made the semi-finals of the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, and competed for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
On home soil, King was a dominant force in the sprint hurdles. He clinched the British title over 110 metres hurdles three times (2017, 2019, 2020) and claimed another three titles in the 60 metres hurdles (2019, 2020, 2023).
His career-best performances — 13.37 seconds in the 110m hurdles (Turku 2021) and 7.57 seconds in the 60m hurdles (Madrid 2022) — stand as testament to his consistency and competitive edge.
Now based in Arizona, King steps away from competition with gratitude and optimism. While he has yet to reveal his next chapter, his farewell message hinted at excitement for what lies ahead beyond the track.
As one of Britain’s respected names in sprint hurdling, David King leaves behind a career marked by resilience, memorable performances, and a lasting contribution to British athletics.
