Nagpur: At an age when most people start to slow down, 62-year-old Rajendra “RJ” Jaiswal from Nagpur has done the extraordinary, completing the Full Ironman California 2025 in the United States, one of the world’s most gruelling endurance events.
Held on October 19, the Ironman challenge pushes athletes to their absolute limits, featuring a 3.8 km swim in 15°C waters, followed by 180 km of cycling and a 42.2 km marathon, all within a 17-hour time limit. Jaiswal crossed the finish line in 16 hours and 15 minutes, proudly waving the Indian tricolour as he became one of the few Indians of his age to achieve this feat.
Gold Rate
06 dec 2025
“This race wasn’t about competition, it was about conviction,” Jaiswal said. “Discipline and determination can defeat time itself.”
Jaiswal’s journey to the Ironman podium is as inspiring as his achievement. A decade ago, he was battling a series of health issues — knee pain, diabetes, thyroid imbalance, cholesterol, and obesity, and was even advised to undergo knee replacement surgery. Walking itself had become a challenge.
With guidance from Dr. Anant Joshi, senior sports surgeon from Mumbai, and physiotherapy care by Dr. Neena Sahu, he began a steady recovery. The turning point came when he started training under Dr. Amit Samarth of Miles and Milers, who designed a year-long regimen focused on endurance, diet, and mental resilience.
Over the years, Jaiswal transformed himself into a seasoned endurance athlete, completing 200 km and 300 km cycling races, a 100 km ultramarathon, and becoming the only runner from Central India to finish the 161 km Bamboo Forest Trail Run in Bengaluru, clocking 32 hours of continuous running.
His earlier achievements also include finishing Ironman 70.3 events in Bahrain and Dubai, which involve half the Ironman distance, 1.9 km swimming, 90 km cycling, and 21 km running, paving the way for his full Ironman success.
Running with a purpose
RJ’s endurance feats often carry a patriotic or humanitarian purpose. He holds a world record for running 81.5 km nonstop for 12.5 hours while carrying the Indian flag. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he ran 85 km inside his drawing room in 13 hours, dedicating the effort to Corona Warriors. For his achievements, he received a Doctorate in Record-Breaking from the World Record University.
A member of Junior Chamber International, Rotary International, and Lions International, Jaiswal continues to mentor and motivate aspiring athletes across India. He credits his success to his wife Vineetaji, sons Maaheen and Ritvik, and a strong circle of mentors and supporters, including Sanjay Batwe, Dr. Sunita Dhote, Ganesh Kshirsagar, Deepa Garg, DRM Vinayak Garg, Divisional Commissioner Vijaylaxmi Bisare, and Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Singal, among others.
For Jaiswal, the Ironman finish line is not the end but a new beginning, a reminder that strength comes not from age, but from attitude.
“Age is no barrier when your spirit is stronger than your excuses,” he says, his eyes gleaming with pride and purpose.
