Fiji demonstrated its growing prowess in distance running at the World Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, where national athlete Yeshnil Karan made history by achieving the country’s best finish since it began participating in the event in 1988. Competing in the Senior Men’s 10km race, Karan finished 83rd among 123 athletes, outperforming competitors from countries known for their strong athletics traditions, such as China, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, and South Africa.
Karan completed the race in an impressive time of 32 minutes and 55 seconds, with his splits showing strong pacing at 9:26 for the 3km and 16:09 for the 5km marks. The Tallahassee course presented a significant challenge, characterized by steep hills, mud, sandy sections, and barrier jumps, pushing the athletes’ limits in endurance, strength, agility, and strategy. This was Karan’s first appearance at the World Cross Country level and a crucial step in his preparation for the upcoming Oceania Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Also competing was Ben Ashe, who recorded a time of 37 minutes and 7 seconds, marking an improvement from his performance at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst. Ashe’s return to competition after recovering from an injury bodes well for his future in regional events, including the Oceania Championships.
In a day filled with dynamic performances, Australia secured victory in the Mixed Relay, with Linden Hall, who is Ashe’s partner, playing a significant role in their gold-medal achievement. This win is particularly notable given the typical dominance of African runners in distance events.
Karan’s ongoing development, supported by regular training and competition alongside several prominent Australian athletes, highlights a successful strategy for continuous performance improvement. Fiji’s notable accomplishments in Tallahassee reflect the nation’s progress in distance running, fostering optimism as it prepares for future major international events anticipated in 2026. The results from this championship not only celebrate the individual athlete’s integrity but also signal a promising horizon for Fiji’s athletics on a global stage.