Fiji showcased an impressive debut at the World Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, with national athlete Yeshnil Karan achieving the country’s highest-ever finish since its participation began in 1988. Competing in the Senior Men’s 10km race, Karan placed 83rd out of 123 competitors, surpassing athletes from several established athletics nations, including China, Mexico, India, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, and South Africa.
Karan clocked a remarkable time of 32 minutes and 55 seconds, with pace splits of 9:26 at the 3km mark and 16:09 at 5km, while navigating a notoriously challenging course. The Tallahassee terrain featured steep hills, natural surfaces, sandy sections, mud, and barrier jumps, demanding a blend of endurance, strength, agility, and tactical acumen.
This experience marked Karan’s first participation at the World Cross Country level and is an integral part of his training ahead of the Oceania Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Alongside him, fellow Fijian athlete Ben Ashe completed the course with a time of 37 minutes and 7 seconds, showing significant improvement from his prior performance at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.
Ashe’s comeback, especially after a lengthy recovery from injuries, is an encouraging sign as he prepares for upcoming regional events, including the Oceania Championships. The Championships also highlighted achievements from other nations, notably Australia’s victory in the Mixed Relay, where Karan’s partner, Linden Hall, contributed as a gold-medal-winning team member. This win reflects a shift in the competitive landscape of distance running, traditionally dominated by African nations.
Karan’s ongoing development, fueled by consistent training with Australian distance athletes and national team collaborators, is proving to be a promising strategy for achieving sustained performance. Fiji’s strong showings at the Championships in Tallahassee indicate steady progress in distance running on the international stage and bring hope for significant advancements as the nation gears up for major competitions in 2026.
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