National middle and long-distance athletics champion Yeshnil Karan will fly the noble banner blue at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan next month.
Karan will compete in the men’s 1500m event.
His naming for participation in the world event comes after a clean sweep in attaining the top rank nationally for the 1500m, 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m and the half marathon events.
Speaking of the selection, Athletics Fiji president Joji Liga acknowledged Karan’s selection as a proud moment for the sporting body and the nation.
“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.
As the Pacific’s top-ranked athlete in six events, he is also the only Fijian athlete to scoop six gold medals at three consecutive Pacific Games; the 2022 Mini Games, the 2023 Games in the Solomon Islands and the 2025 Mini Games in Palau.
His recent performances, which have brought him heightened prominence on the regional and international stage, include being a record holder in three long distance events – the 5000m, 10,000m and half marathon.
He is the second-ranked athlete in Fiji for the 1500m, 3000m and 3000m steeplechase events.
Karan first made a mark when he ran for Tavua College during the 2019 Coca-Cola Games and won gold in the senior boys 1500m.