Karan to Represent Fiji at World Athletics Championships

 Yeshnil Karan will represent Fiji at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, next month. 

Athletic Fiji confirmed yesterday that the national middle and long-distance champion will compete in the men’s 1500 metres event. 

Athletics Fiji president, Joji Liga, said Karan’s selection was a proud moment for Fiji and the sport. 

“His achievements are the result of dedication, hard work, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence,” Liga said.

“We are confident he will represent Fiji with pride, humility and determination in Tokyo. His performance will inspire many young athletes to follow in his footsteps.”

Karan’s selection followed his exceptional performances on both the regional and international stage. 

He currently holds three national records in the 5000m, 10,000m and half marathon; he is ranked second all-time in Fiji in the 1500m, 3000m and 3000m steeplechase. 

The Tavua native ran a record time of 14:22.50 in the 5000m and 30:19.92 in the 10,000 where he broke a 54-year-old record. 

These results were achieved in high-quality fields in Australia within the official qualification period, alongside personal bests in the 1500m (3:51.14), 3000m (8:17.44) and 3,00m Steeplechase (9:02.08).

High ranked performance

Earlier this year, the Pacific Games gold medallist achieved a clean sweep of the number one national ranking across six events in the 1500m, 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, 10000m and half marathon.

His recent performances include a half marathon record of 1:07:14 at the 2024 Gold Coast Marathon Festival. 

Regionally, Yeshnil is the Pacific’s top-ranked athlete in six events, a dominance built on tactical racing ability, speed endurance and proven championship composure. 

He is the only current Fijian athlete to have won gold medals at three consecutive Pacific Games cycles with a total of six gold medals across the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, 2023 Pacific Games and 2025 Pacific Mini Games.

Athletics Fiji said in a statement that Karan’s events is among Fiji’s highest ranked performance in the World Athletics rankings, in both the one-athlete-per-country and three-athlete-per-country categories.

“Karan’s four best events each feature among Fiji’s highest-ranked performances, reflecting exceptional range, versatility and consistency at the highest level of international competition.

“What makes Yeshnil’s achievements even more remarkable is his journey. Based for much of the year in Tavua; he trains without a proper track, training squad or on-site coach. Through discipline, self-motivation and strategic stints in Australia’s high-performance environments, he has prepared himself to compete with the best in the world,” the statement said.

“His selection is not only a recognition of talent, but also of loyalty, resilience, and a sustained commitment to representing Fiji. 

“The World Athletics Championships will provide him with the opportunity to test himself against the very best in global competition, gaining valuable experience ahead of future Olympic cycles.

“Athletics Fiji congratulates Yeshnil Karan on his selection and wishes him every success as he prepares to wear the national colours in Tokyo with pride, determination and the spirit of true sportsmanship,” Athletics Fiji statement added. 

The championships will be from September 13 – 21.