Yeshnil Karan sets double personal best for 1,500m and 3,000m at Australian nationals

Fijian middle-distance runner Yeshnil Karan has set a double personal best for 1,500 metres and 3,000 metres events at the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Australian National Athletics Championships in Perth.

Athletics Fiji says Karan clocked 9.02.08 placing 8th in the 3,000 metres in a national-level final that featured two Australian Olympians.

They say despite a challenging start, the former Tavua College student maintained his composure and powered through the barriers and water jumps to improve his previous best by 16 seconds.

They also highlighted that this result places him 2nd on Fiji’s all-time rankings for the 3,000m steeplechase, ahead of Davendra Rakash Singh’s performance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, and only behind the legendary Usaia Sotutu, who set the national record 44 years ago in Seattle, USA.

They add Karan also achieved a new personal best in the 1,500m, stopping the clock at 3.51.14, improving on his previous mark by two seconds.

Athletics Fiji also highlighted that this time also sees him surpass another historic milestone—moving ahead of Usaia Sotutu’s 1971 time in Finland—cementing his position as Fiji’s second-fastest ever 1,500m runner, behind national record holder Rick Kermode, who set his time in Auckland 42 years ago.

Athletics Fiji adds Karan’s performance in Perth marks not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for athletics in Fiji and his strong showing reinforces his upward trajectory and showcases his growing potential on the international stage.