Karan back on track after quick recovery

Fiji’s top distance runner, Yeshnil Karan, is back on track for the Commonwealth Games after making an impressive recovery from emergency appendicitis surgery three months ago.

Athletics Fiji said Karan had exceeded expectations since undergoing surgery on April 4. After completing the required six-week recovery period, he resumed structured training and has steadily rebuilt his fitness ahead of the Games in Glasgow.

His latest progress was evident at the Gold Coast Marathon 5km (kilometres) race last Saturday, where he finished 11th in a strong field in 15 minutes.

Karan stayed with the lead group through the opening 3000 metres, clocking 8 minutes and 43 seconds before fading in the closing stages as he continued rebuilding his race endurance and speed.

Unlike many of his competitors, Karan did not taper for the event and instead raced while maintaining his full Commonwealth Games training programme.

Coach Atma Maharaj said Karan’s recovery had been better than expected.

“Considering where Yeshnil was just six weeks ago, the progress has been extremely encouraging,” Maharaj said.

“The strong aerobic base he developed before surgery has allowed him to recover remarkably well. There is still important work to do, particularly in rebuilding speed endurance and race sharpness, but he is firmly back on track for Glasgow.”

Karan has spent the past four weeks training in Brisbane alongside some of Australia’s leading middle and long-distance runners as he completes the final phase of his Commonwealth Games preparations.

With three weeks remaining before the Games, Athletics Fiji believes Karan is building towards peak condition and is confident he will be ready to represent Fiji in Glasgow.