Page 37 - Fiji Traveller Issue 10

The previous record set by Usaia Sotutu back in 1971, had “Over the past 37 months, I have made four short trips of four
stood for five decades. to five months each, spending a total of 18 months training in
Known for his endurance, pace and power, Karan was able to Brisbane and competing across Australia”, added Karan.
clock a time of 30 minutes 9.92 seconds. He says living on the riverbanks of Tavua presents its own
“It was one of the proudest moments of my life. Breaking a challenges. “During the rainy season, flooding often leaves
54-year-old record set by a legend like Usaia Sotutu was not roads inaccessible for weeks at a time, forcing me to cut back on
easy. It took a lot of hard work, sacrifice and belief. I feel very training whenever I am at home”, said Karan.
blessed and grateful to my coach, coaching team, training Karan began to seriously focus on running when he was
partners, family and everyone who supported me along the competing as a school student in the 2019 Coca Cola Games.
way,” said Karan. He won two gold medals for Tavua College that year.
Amid his success Karan pays homage to his roots; emphasising He claimed bronze in his first international competition at
where it all started for him, and why he gives his best every time the 2022 Oceania Championships in Mackay, Australia. That
he competes. same year, Karan won one gold and one bronze medal at the
“I have a very supportive family. My parents are farmers and I Pacific Mini Games in Saipan. He then represented Fiji at the
have one sister and two brothers. I am married and blessed with Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The following year Karan
a young son who inspires me every day. I divide my time between won three gold medals at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara in
Fiji and Australia to pursue my training and competitions. When the 5000m, 10,000m and 3000m Steeplechase events.
I am back home in Fiji, I help my parents by working on our “I am proud to hold three national records in 5,000m, 10,000m
and the Half Marathon. I am ranked number two on Fiji’s all-time
list in another three events, namely the 1,500m, 3,000m and
3,000m Steeplechase”, said Karan.
Karan is currently on a scholarship from the Fiji National Sports
“ Commission, secured through the support of Athletics Fiji. This
has been instrumental in helping him reach new heights. Karan
acknowledges former athlete Noel Singh and his personal coach
It was one of the and mentor Atma Maharaj, who have helped him to become a
better athlete since 2020.
When asked what could improve athletics and long-distance
proudest moments running in Fiji, Karan said: “I would help identify young talent early
of my life. Breaking and create better training environments with proper coaching
and facilities. I would also push for more international exposure
a 54-year-old and scholarships for our athletes and stronger partnerships with
regional and international sports bodies. With the right support,
record set by a Fiji can produce more international-class runners.”
Karan inspires many amateur runners across Fiji, including
legend like Usaia fellow members of the Suva Marathon Club. That club’s coach
and trainer, Ed Hawkes, is full of praise for the young runner. “He
Sotutu was not has joined a few of our events per year over the past few years.
Last year he participated in both the Suva Marathon (where he
easy. ran the half marathon and broke the national record), and he
also ran the Namosi challenge.
“It's exciting to have such a high standard of running in Fiji.
He is not just a good runner locally and at our events; he is the
best distance runner in Fiji and the Pacific outside of Australia
and NZ. Last year, in the half marathon, he was 16 minutes
faster than the next best runner. When the next runner finished,
Yeshnil had finished, took photos, had a drink and was off to take
a shower”, Hawkes exclaimed.
vegetable farm,” he said. “Yeshnil has shown that it is possible to be an elite runner after
Like other high-level athletes, Karan worries about injuries, finishing school. In Fiji we have fantastic sports competition and
time away from family and financial limitations. “I manage these programs for school kids, but participation in sport drops off after
by staying disciplined, using recovery techniques like ice baths, people leave school. Yeshnil is the inspiration for many people to
stretching and self-massage and by keeping mentally and keep running and stay fit after leaving school, particularly people
spiritually strong.” in their 20s, 30s and 40s”, said Hawkes.

37