Pacific’s leading middle and long-distance athlete Yeshnil Karan will miss upcoming competitions after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis over the weekend.
Coach Atma Maharaj says Karan underwent successful surgery at Princess Alexandra Hospital on Saturday and is recovering well, with discharge expected in the coming days.
He says medical advice confirms the condition developed quickly, is relatively common among young people, and is not linked to training or preparation.
Maharaj says the setback comes at a time when Karan was in the best form of his career.
He says since October, he has built a strong performance base, highlighted by strong performances at Zatopek Australian 10000m Championships in Melbourne, the World Cross Country Championships and the New Zealand Championships.
He has been training in Brisbane alongside some of Australia’s leading middle-distance athletes and had recently commenced specialist hurdles coaching to further strengthen his 3000m steeplechase performance.
Maharaj says as a result of this medical event, Karan will withdraw from this week’s Australian Championships (1500m and 3000m steeplechase) and the upcoming UniSport Australian Championships (1500m and 5000m).
He will also withdraw from the Oceania Championships in May (1500m, 3000m steeplechase and 5000m) as a precautionary and necessary step to ensure complete recovery and protect his performance trajectory.
Maharaj says the immediate focus is on recovery, with a return to training expected in early May, subject to medical clearance.
He has already qualified for the Commonwealth Games in both the 3000m steeplechase and the mile, and planning will now centre on a safe and progressive return, with Glasgow as the key target.
Maharaj adds doctors expect a full recovery.
