For the first time in his career, Yeshnil Karan has spent weeks training over hurdles every day under an Olympian’s guidance, an experience he says has transformed how he will race.
The triple Pacific Games gold medalist travelled to Adelaide, Australia for a three-week steeplechase training camp with three-time Australian champion and Olympic steeplechaser Matthew Clarke.
The camp was arranged through Clarke’s family ties to Fiji.
His maternal grandmother was born here and retired FASANOC chief executive Lorraine Mar, who is Clarke’s mother’s cousin, introduced Karan to him during the 2024 Oceania Championships in Suva.
“This opportunity came out of nowhere and it was too good to pass up,” Karan said to Athletics Fiji on Wednesday.
“I’ve made big improvements in my hurdling and running form. Before this, I had only done two hurdle sessions in my life.”
Karan stayed with Clarke and his wife Annie, training alongside elite Australian and New Zealand distance runners.
Most of his workouts focused on hurdle technique and efficient pacing, which was a completely new approach for the Fijian athlete.
Clarke said Karan adapted quickly to the high-performance squad.
“Yeshnil has all the fundamentals to excel in steeplechase,” Clarke said.
“He is focused and very willing to learn. Now, it’s about being consistent and disciplined.”
Although the 3000 metres steeplechase will not be held at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau due to the venue lacking a water jump facility, Karan hopes to make it his main event for future competitions.
“It’s been like a mini-Oceania training camp at home,” Clarke said.
He will join team Fiji’s athletics squad for the Mini Games tomorrow.
