Fiji’s national middle- and long-distance standout Yeshnil Karan has been named to wear Fiji’s blue at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he will compete in the men’s 1500 metres. The announcement marks a milestone as Karan lines up on the world stage following a dominant national season and a string of eye-catching performances abroad.
Athletics Fiji president Joji Liga welcomed the selection, calling it a proud moment for the sport and for Fiji. “We 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,” Liga said.
Karan’s elevation to the world championship team comes on the heels of a clean sweep of national titles across distance events, including the 1500m, 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m and the half marathon. That breadth of success underscores his status as Fiji’s premier distance runner and his value as a multi-event threat who can contribute points across several events if given the chance.
He is also recognized as the Pacific’s top-ranked athlete in six events and remains the only Fijian to win six gold medals across three consecutive Pacific Games, spanning the 2022 Mini Games, the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, and the 2025 Mini Games in Palau. Beyond medals, Karan has set and held multiple national records, including marks in the 5000m, 10,000m and the half marathon, showcasing his range from track to road racing.
In Fiji, Karan sits as the second-ranked athlete in the 1500m, 3000m and 3000m steeplechase, a testament to the depth of talent in the country and to his continued improvement. His rise began on the podium at Tavua College, where he first made his mark by winning gold in the senior boys’ 1500m at the 2019 Coca-Cola Games.
Recent results from the Australian circuit illuminate the momentum behind his Tokyo campaign. At the Chemist Warehouse Australian National Athletics Championships in Perth, he produced two personal bests. He clocked a steeplechase time of 9:02.08, finishing eighth in a highly competitive final that included several Australian Olympians—a 16-second improvement that pushed him onto Fiji’s all-time list and only behind Usaia Sotutu’s 44-year national record in the event. In the 1500m, he added a 3:51.14 to his PB repertoire, moving into the second-fastest ever for Fiji behind Rick Kermode’s longstanding standard.
The strong Australian performances have been complemented by other standout showings this season. At the UniSport Australia Nationals Athletics Championship, Karan earned a national record in the 10,000 metres with a time of 30:19.92, surpassing Usaia Sotutu’s 1971 mark. This achievement, coupled with his Pacific Games golds and his rapid improvement in the 1500m and 3000m events, positions him as a leading light for Fiji on the global stage and has earned him support from national sports authorities.
Earlier in the season, he hit a personal best of 8:25.75 in the Sunshine Coast 3000m Challenge, a sign of his accelerating form as he tunes up for championship pressure. He also earned a silver in the Brisbane-area Queensland Championships, clocking 3:53.10 in the 1500m final, following a 3:53.97 in the heats, demonstrating consistency at progressively higher levels. His long-distance exploits include a celebrated Gold Coast Half Marathon performance, with a 67-minute 14-second clocking that remains a testament to his endurance capabilities.
With Tokyo on the horizon, Karan’s management and supporters emphasize that his current form translates into not only personal milestones but a broader story of growth for Fiji athletics. The World Championships will offer him a platform to test his 1500m speed against a global field, while his versatility across events could make him a valuable contributor to Fiji’s medal chances in team or multi-event formats if opportunities arise.
For readers and aspiring athletes, Karan’s journey—rising from a small-town start in Tavua to Pacific glory and now a world-stage invitation—offers a narrative of perseverance, disciplined training, and practical steps toward international competitiveness. His ongoing collaboration with coaches, training partners, and the support of Athletics Fiji and the Fiji National Sports Commission position him well to maximize the Tokyo experience and carry that momentum into future Pacific Games and regional meets.
In summary, Yeshnil Karan’s selection for Tokyo confirms Fiji’s rising presence in world distance running. His national supremacy, record-breaking performances and momentum from Australia performances all point to a bright phase for Fiji’s athletics program and a hopeful horizon for young athletes watching him chase progress, push boundaries, and carry Fiji’s flag with pride on the world stage. He remains a figure to watch as the sport moves toward Tokyo and beyond. negative
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