Yeshnil Karan turns on exceptional pace to get into the all-time top 10 list

Former Coca-Cola Games champion, Yeshnil Karan turned on exceptional pace to get into the all-time top 10 list for the 3,000 metres event in the Athletics Fiji Competition at the ANZ National Stadium.

Karan who is from Yaladro in Tavua clocked an impressive electronic time of 9 minutes 02.72 seconds to be the eighth fastest on the all-time list and the fastest since 2003 for 3,000m.

On Saturday, Karan won the 800m and 1,500m events.

He won gold in the 1500 and 3000 metres events in the 2019 Coca Cola Games. Karan who hails from Tavua, had been working on his family farm with limited time to train, since leaving Tavua College where he completed his Form 7.

Former Olympian and Pacific Games champion Isireli Naikelekelevesi, who is in Fiji is currently supervising Karan with his training and competitions.

Former National Distance Coach, Atma Maharaj started coaching Karan since October last year from Brisbane.

Athletics Fiji says Karan is now on a structured and monitored program, which is being managed and monitored by Maharaj, with his Strength and Conditioning program designed by Henry Elder.

Karan has also relocated to Suva and is now working at JR White.

Athletics Fiji adds Naikelekelevesi’s presence is a tremendous boost for Karan, as he is able to provide great insights and inspiration to the former Tavua College student.

These steps are designed to help Karan strengthen his foundations and prepare him for the Queensland Athletics Season when the borders eventually open.

It is planned that Karan will be in Brisbane from January 2022 to take part in the Australian competitions.

His program is funded by former leading athletes of the once dominant Striders Club and supported by Oceania Athletics Association and Athletics Fiji.

Yeshnil Karan was not chosen to represent Fiji in the Pacific Games in Samoa in 2019 although it was established that Karan ran a faster time than the Pacific champion in 2015.

At the time, Team Fiji Athletics Sectional Manager, Joseph Rodan Junior had said Karan had failed to meet the criteria to take part in the Games.