Yeshnil Karan improves personal best by nearly 5 seconds in 1,500 metres event in Australia

Fiji’s long-distance runner and Pacific Games Golden medalist Yeshnil Karan continued to showcase his progress over the weekend after he improved on his personal best by nearly five seconds, clocking an impressive time of 3 minutes and 53.19 seconds while competing in his first 1,500m event in the 2024 athletics season.

This has seen Karan being named as the third-fastest runner in Fiji Athletics history for the Men's 1,500m.

This has also seen Karan surpass the performances set by prominent athletes from previous years, such as Isireli Naikelekelevesi, Davendra Prakash Singh, and Moses Zarak Khan.

Karan recorded the fastest time set by a Fiji athlete in over four decades, with Rick Kermode with a time of 3 minutes and 42.81 seconds in 1982 and the legendary Usaia Sotutu with a time of 3 minutes and 51.50 seconds set 52 years ago, in the top two positions.

Isireli Naikelekelevesi, who helped train Karan during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic, was amongst the first to congratulate the 22-year-old.

Nakelekelevesi says he is thrilled to see Karan’s continued success in athletics, particularly his recent Personal Best.

He says Karan’s dedication and hard work during the pandemic were inspiring.

Nakelekelevesi adds from Karan’s days as a Coca-Cola Games Champion, he knew Karan had the potential to surpass his performances.

He says he is honoured to have helped shape Karan into the exceptional athlete that he is today.