For most people, a 400-metre race is over in less than a minute. For Kiran Jose, it carries years of work.
The Year 12 student from Harrisdale Senior High School, Perth, recently won silver in the 400m at the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior Championships in Brisbane. It is his third national medal in the event, but the moment felt just as new.
“There was a lot of nervousness,” Kiran says. “While the race itself takes less than a minute, it is the culmination of years spent relentlessly training. The weeks leading up to the race felt like the ascent of a roller coaster. The tension builds, and then the starting gun fires. In that final stretch, I wasn’t just running for a medal. I was running to honour all that preparation.”
It did not start that way.
Kiran began athletics in his early high school years simply to stay active. He was part of the first Gifted and Talented stream (GATE) at Harrisdale, but sport was not something he stood out in at the beginning.
“To be honest, I wasn’t very good when I started,” he says. “But I enjoyed the process of improving. I focused on small goals and every millisecond I could take off my time. Before I knew it, those small gains took me to national competitions. That still surprises me when I think about where I began.”
What followed was a steady, disciplined climb. Training did not get easier. It became more demanding as expectations grew.
“Balancing track with Year 12 requires discipline,” he says. “I’ve finished revision on public transport on the way to training or studied in the back of my parents’ car between sessions. Having limited time forces you to use every minute well. The track hasn’t just made me faster. It has taught me how to manage my life.”
For his parents, Jogil and Jogi Agustin, the medal in Brisbane was more than a sporting result. It was the visible outcome of years that often went unnoticed.
“Watching Kiran on that podium was a moment of validation,” says his father Jogil. “We have seen the 5am wake-ups, the holidays given up for training, the sacrifices most teenagers wouldn’t make. It wasn’t just about a medal. It was about seeing him develop grit and focus.”
There were doubts along the way. Like many Indian-origin families, sport was not always seen as a natural path.
“Our journey started with keeping our children active,” he says. “We tried everything. Tennis, cricket, badminton, soccer. For a long time, they played soccer in winter and did athletics in summer. The turning point was when they started training professionally.”
He admits he once believed that Indian children may not be suited for elite athletics.
“I used to think maybe they didn’t have the physique or genes for it. I now know that is not true. Success comes down to dedication, preparation and diet. Seeing Kiran grow through sport convinced us we were on the right path.”
Kiran sees the landscape slightly differently. While athletics may still be less visible in the community, he believes change is already underway.
“There are quite a few kids from my background competing in Western Australia,” he says. “We may not be as visible as in other sports, but I see Indian athletes doing well in different events. Success from our community can encourage the next generation.”
For his parents, the bigger conversation is about priorities.
“Cricket and football are the default choices because they are familiar,” says Jogil. “But athletics builds the foundation for every sport. There is also a belief that sport affects studies. In reality, it helps. These kids become disciplined. They learn to manage time, take care of their bodies and perform better overall.”
That balance is something Kiran has had to learn quickly, especially in his final year of school. Between training sessions and exams, there is little room for distraction. But he does not see it as a burden.
At home, the achievement is seen as a shared one.
“What makes me proud is how Kiran sees it,” his father says. “He calls it a team win. He talks about his coach, his brother Ashwin who went before him, and everyone who supported him. It’s about the whole process, not just the result.”
For Kiran, the message to others is simple.“There is no reason not to give it a shot. The biggest person you are competing against is yourself. Any improvement is a win.”
In a race that lasts under a minute, that may be the part that stays the longest.
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
