Pacific Long Distance King and former Tavua College student Yeshnil Karan has achieved another milestone after being selected by Athletics Fiji to represent the country at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he will compete in the men’s 1500 metres.
Athletics Fiji says what makes Karan’s achievement even more remarkable is his journey, as he is based much of the year in Tavua, training without a proper track, training squad or on-site coach.
They say through discipline, self-motivation and strategic stints in Australia’s high-performance environments, has prepared Karan to compete with the best in the world.
Athletics Fiji says his selection is not only a recognition of talent, but also of loyalty, resilience, and a sustained commitment to representing Fiji.
They say 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 President, Joji Liga says Karan’s selection is a proud moment for Fiji Athletics and the nation.
Liga says his achievements are the result of dedication, hard work, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and they are confident he will represent Fiji with pride, humility and determination in Tokyo, and his performance will inspire many young athletes to follow in his footsteps.
Athletics Fiji says Karan’s selection crowns a period of exceptional performances on both the regional and international stage as he holds three national records in the 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and Half Marathon.
He ranks second all-time in Fiji in the 1,500 metres, 3,000 metres and 3,000 metres Steeplechase.
They say in 2025, he achieved a clean sweep of the number one national ranking across six events in the 1500 metres, 3,000 metres, 3,000 metres Steeplechase, 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and Half Marathon.
Athletics Fiji says his recent performances include a Half Marathon record of 1 hour 7 minutes and 14 seconds at the 2024 Gold Coast Marathon Festival, a national 5,000 metres record of 14 minutes and 22.50 seconds, and a 10,000 metres record of 30 minutes and 19.92 seconds, breaking 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 1,500 metres, 3,000 metres and 3,000 metres Steeplechase.
Athletics Fiji says regionally, Karan is the Pacific’s top-ranked athlete in six events, a dominance built on tactical racing ability, speed endurance and proven championship composure.
They say 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.
Across the World Athletics rankings, in both the one-athlete-per-country and three-athlete-per-country categories, Yeshnil 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.
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.
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