Fiji’s distance running took a remarkable leap forward at the World Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, where Yeshnil Karan achieved the country’s best-ever finish in the event’s history. Competing in the Senior Men’s 10km race, Karan placed 83rd out of a competitive field of 123 athletes, marking Fiji’s highest standing since its debut in the championships in 1988.
Karan’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he outpaced competitors from several established athletics powerhouses, including China, Mexico, India, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, and South Africa. Athletics Fiji president Joji Liga celebrated this landmark achievement, highlighting it as a significant moment for the sport within the country. He emphasized, “Yeshnil’s performance is a breakthrough for Fiji at World Cross Country level. To finish where he did on such a demanding course, against athletes from some of the world’s strongest distance-running nations, shows the progress we are making and the potential that exists in our athletes.”
Clocking in at an impressive 32 minutes and 55 seconds, Karan navigated the challenging Tallahassee course, which featured steep hills, natural terrain, mud, and barrier jumps, conditions that tested endurance and tactical acumen over pure speed. His splits of 9:26 at the 3km mark and 16:09 at 5km reflect not only his physical preparedness but also his strategic racing skills.
This event marked Karan’s inaugural appearance at the World Cross Country Championships and serves as a crucial part of his training as he prepares for upcoming competitions, including the Oceania Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Liga noted, “World Cross Country is one of the toughest environments you can put an athlete in. For Yeshnil to handle the conditions the way he did reflects the value of his consistent training and the experience he’s gaining by competing alongside high-level Australian distance runners.”
Fiji’s contingent also included Ben Ashe, who finished with a time of 37 minutes and 7 seconds. Ashe’s performance was a positive sign as he improved upon his result from the 2023 championships in Bathurst, following a lengthy period spent recovering from injury.
The championships featured an additional highlight with Australia clinching gold in the Mixed Relay, a team that included Ashe’s partner, Linden Hall, showcasing the supportive and competitive atmosphere surrounding Fiji’s distance runners.
Karan’s historic finish in Tallahassee is a promising indication of Fiji’s emerging status in the long-distance running arena, signaling a bright future for the country’s athletes on the international stage.
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